Use of cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of the JNK signal transduction pathway for the treatment of various diseases

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to the use of protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically to the use of inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase, JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, or of nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing same, for the treatment of various diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling, wherein these diseases or disorders are selected from autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous diseases, diabetes, including diabetes type 1 or type 2, inflammatory diseases, hair loss, including Alopecia areata, diseases of the lung, neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases, diseases of the liver, diseases of the spine, diseases of the uterus, viral infectious diseases and depressive disorders.

SEQUENCE LISTING

A computer readable text file, entitled “067802-5027-01_SequenceListing.txt,” created on or about 23 Feb. 2015 with a file size of about 70 kb contains the sequence listing for this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention refers to the use of protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically to the use of inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase, JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, or of nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing same, for the treatment of various diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling, wherein these diseases or disorders are selected from autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous diseases, diabetes, including diabetes type 1 or type 2, inflammatory diseases, hair loss, including Alopecia areata, diseases of the lung, neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases, diseases of the liver, diseases of the spine, diseases of the uterus, viral infectious diseases and depressive disorders.

The c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These kinases have been implicated in the control of cell growth and differentiation, and, more generally, in the response of cells to environmental stimuli. The JNK signal transduction pathway is activated in response to environmental stress and by the engagement of several classes of cell surface receptors. These receptors can include cytokine receptors, serpentine receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases. In mammalian cells, JNK has been implicated in biological processes such as oncogenic transformation and mediating adaptive responses to environmental stress. JNK has also been associated with modulating immune responses, including maturation and differentiation of immune cells, as well as effecting programmed cell death in cells identified for destruction by the immune system. This unique property makes JNK signaling a promising target for developing pharmacological intervention. Among several neurological disorders, JNK signaling is particularly implicated in ischemic stroke and Parkinson's disease, but also in other diseases as mentioned further below. Furthermore, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38alpha was shown to negatively regulate the cell proliferation by antagonizing the JNK-dun-pathway. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38alpha therefore appears to be active in suppression of normal and cancer cell proliferation and, as a further, demonstrates the involvement of JNK in cancer diseases (see e.g. Hui et al., Nature Genetics, Vol 39, No. 6, June 2007). It was also shown, that c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) is involved in neuropathic pain produced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL), wherein SNL induced a slow and persistent activation of JNK, in particular JNK1, whereas p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was found in spinal microglia after SNL, which had fallen to near basal lavel by 21 days (Zhuang et al., The Journal of Neuroscience, Mar. 29, 2006, 26(13):3551-3560)).

Inhibition or interruption of JNK signaling pathway, particularly the provision of inhibitors of the JNK signaling pathway, thus appears to be a promising approach in combating disorders strongly related to JNK signaling. However, there are only a few inhibitors of the JNK signaling pathway known so far.

Inhibitors of the JNK signaling pathway as already known in the prior art, particularly include e.g. upstream kinase inhibitors (for example, CEP-1347), small chemical inhibitors of JNK (SP600125 and AS601245), which directly affect kinase activity e.g. by competing with the ATP-binding site of the protein kinase, and peptide inhibitors of the interaction between JNK and its substrates (D-JNKI and HIP) (see e.g. Kuan et al., Current Drug Targets—CNS & Neurological Disorders, February 2005, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 63-67(5)).

The upstream kinase inhibitor CEP-1347 (KT7515) is a semisynthetic inhibitor of the mixed lineage kinase family. CEP-1347 (KT7515) promotes neuronal survival at dosages that inhibit activation of the c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) in primary embryonic cultures and differentiated PC12 cells after trophic withdrawal and in mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl tetrahydropyridine. Further, CEP-1347 (KT7515) can promote long term-survival of cultured chick embryonic dorsal root ganglion, sympathetic, ciliary and motor neurons (see e.g. Borasio et al., Neuroreport. 9(7): 1435-1439, May 11, 1998.).

The small chemical JNK inhibitor SP600125 was found to reduce the levels of c-Jun phosphorylation, to protect dopaminergic neurons from apoptosis, and to partly restore the level of dopamine in MPTP-induced PD in C57BL/6N mice (Wang et al., Neurosci Res. 2004 February; 48(2); 195-202). These results furthermore indicate that JNK pathway is the major mediator of the neurotoxic effects of MPTP in vivo and inhibiting JNK activity may represent a new and effective strategy to treat PD.

A further example of small chemical inhibitors is the aforementioned JNK-Inhibitor AS601245. AS601245 inhibits the JNK signalling pathway and promotes cell survival after cerebral ischemia. In vivo, AS601245 provided significant protection against the delayed loss of hippocampal CA1 neurons in a gerbil model of transient global ischemia. This effect is mediated by JNK inhibition and therefore by c-Jun expression and phosphorylation (see e.g. Carboni et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 July; 310(1):25-32. Epub 2004 Feb. 26).

A third class of inhibitors of the JNK signaling pathway represent peptide inhibitors of the interaction between JNK and its substrates, as mentioned above. As a starting point for construction of such JNK inhibitor peptides a sequence alignment of naturally occurring JNK proteins may be used. Typically, these proteins comprise JNK binding domains (JBDs) and occur in various insulin binding (IB) proteins, such as IB1 or IB2. The results of such an exemplary sequence alignment is e.g. a sequence alignment between the JNK binding domains of IB1 [SEQ ID NO: 13], IB2 [SEQ ID NO: 14], c-Jun [SEQ ID NO: 15] and ATF2 [SEQ ID NO: 16] (see e.g. FIGS. 1A-1C). Such an alignment reveals a partially conserved 8 amino acid sequence (see e.g. FIG. 1A). A comparison of the JBDs of IB1 and IB2 further reveals two blocks of seven and three amino acids that are highly conserved between the two sequences.

Sequences constructed on basis of such an alignment are e.g. disclosed in WO 01/27268 or in WO 2007/031280. WO 2007/031280 and WO 01/27268 disclose small cell permeable fusion peptides, comprising a so-called TAT cell permeation sequence derived from the basic trafficking sequence of the HIV-TAT protein and a minimum 20 amino acid inhibitory sequence of IB1. Both components are covalently linked to each other. Exemplary (and at present the only) inhibitors of the MAPK-JNK signaling pathway disclosed in both WO 2007/031280 and WO 01/27268, are e.g. L-JNKI1 (JNK-inhibitor peptide composed of L amino acids) or the protease resistant D-JNKI1 peptides (JNK-inhibitor peptide composed of non-native D amino acids). These JNK-inhibitor (JNKI) peptides are specific for JNK (JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3). In contrast to those small compound inhibitors as discussed above, the inhibitor sequences in WO 2007/031280 or WO 01/27268, e.g. JNKI1, rather inhibit the interaction between JNK and its substrate. By its trafficking sequence derived from TAT, the fusion peptide is efficiently transported into cells. Due to the novel properties obtained by the trafficking component the fusion peptides are actively transported into cells, where they remain effective until proteolytic degradation.

However, peptides according to WO 2007/031280 or WO 01/27268 have only shown to be active in a particularly limited number of diseases, particularly non-malignant or immunological-related cell proliferative diseases.

One object of the present invention is thus, to identify further diseases, which can be combated with JNK inhibitor peptides. Another object of the present invention is to provide (the use of) new JNK inhibitor peptides and derivatives thereof for the treatment of those diseases and of diseases not yet or already known to be strongly related to JNK signaling.

This object is solved by the use of a JNK inhibitor sequence, preferably as defined herein, typically comprising less than 150 amino acids in length for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating various diseases strongly related to JNK signaling in a subject, wherein the diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling in a subject, without being limited thereto, are preferably selected from autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous diseases, diabetes, including diabetes type 1 or type 2, inflammatory diseases, hair loss, including Alopecia areata, diseases of the lung, neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases, diseases of the liver, diseases of the spine, diseases of the uterus, viral infectious diseases and depressive disorders.

According to one preferred embodiment, the autoimmune disorders are selected from autoimmune disorders, including, without being limited thereto, Lupus, Lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the cardiovascular diseases, are selected from heart diseases and coronary heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, apoplexy, dilatation of the abdominal aorta, such as infrarenal aneurism hypertension, and myocardial infarction.

According to another preferred embodiment, the cancerous diseases are selected from Kaposi's sarcoma, acute myeloid leukemia, including erythroleukemia, melanomas, malignant melanomas, colon carcinomas, lymphomas, sarcomas, blastomas, kidney carcinomas, gastrointestinal tumours, gliomas, prostate tumours, bladder cancer, rectal tumours, stomach cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, mammary carcinomas (=breast cancer), uterine cancer, cervical cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), hepatomas, diverse virus-induced tumours, such as e.g. papilloma virus-induced carcinomas (e.g. cervix carcinoma=cervical cancer), adenocarcinomas, herpes virus-induced tumours (e.g. Burkitt's lymphoma, EBV-induced B cell lymphoma), hepatitis B-induced tumours (hepatocell carcinomas), HTLV-1- and HTLV-2-induced lymphomas, acusticus neurinoma, lung carcinomas (=lung cancer=bronchial carcinoma), small cell lung carcinomas, throat cancer, anal carcinoma, glioblastoma, rectum carcinoma, astrocytoma, brain tumours, retinoblastoma, basalioma, brain metastases, medulloblastomas, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid carcinoma, Hodgkin's syndrome, meningeomas, Schneeberger's disease, pituitary tumour, mycosis fungoides, carcinoids, neurinoma, spinalioma, Burkitt's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, kidney cancer, thymoma, corpus carcinoma, bone cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, urethral cancer, CUP syndrome, head/neck tumours, oligodendroglioma, vulval cancer, intestinal cancer, colon carcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma (=oesophageal cancer), wart conditions, small intestine tumours, craniopharyngeomas, ovarian carcinoma, soft tissue tumours, ovarian cancer (=ovarian carcinoma), pancreatic carcinoma (=pancreatic cancer), endometrium carcinoma, liver metastases, penis cancer, tongue cancer, gallbladder cancer, leukaemia, plasmocytoma, lid tumour, prostate cancer (=prostate tumours) etc., or infectious diseases chosen from influenza, malaria, SARS, yellow fever, AIDS, Lyme borreliosis, leishmaniasis, anthrax, and meningitis.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the inflammatory diseases are selected from inflammation of the lung or lung diseases, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), or pulmonary fibrosis, inflammations of the tissue, including, without being limited thereto, formation of fibrous tissue, including cystic fibrosis, meningitis, and graft rejection or transplant rejection reactions.

According to another preferred embodiment, the diseases of the lung are selected from inflammation of the lung or lung diseases, including, without being limited thereto, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), chronic illness involving the respiratory system, including Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

According to one preferred embodiment, the neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases are selected from, without being limited thereto, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dystonia, epilepsy, optic nerve disease, including glaucoma, eye infection, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, neuronal diseases caused by or disorders or diseases or disorders of the nervous system, including the “cutting” or disruption of axons, such as axotomy, pain, particularly neuropathic pain, stroke, including ischemic stroke, and viral encephalopathy.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the diseases of the liver are selected from, without being limited thereto, Hepatitis, and hepatotoxicity.

According to another preferred embodiment, the diseases of the spine are selected from, without being limited thereto, disc herniation.

According to one preferred embodiment, the diseases of the uterus are selected from, without being limited thereto, endometriosis.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the viral (infectious) diseases are selected from or caused by viruses selected from, without being limited thereto, HSV, Kaposi's sarcoma, condyloma acuminata, molluscum contagiosum, dengue fever, three-day fever, Ebola virus, colds, early summer meningoencephalitis (ESME), shingles, hepatitis, herpes simplex type I, herpes simplex type II, herpes zoster, influenza virus, Japanese encephalitis, Lassa fever, Marburg virus, measles, foot and mouth disease, mononucleosis, mumps, Norwalk virus infection, Pfeiffer's glandular fever, smallpox, polio (poliomyelitis), pseuodcroup, infectious erythema, rabies, warts, West Nile fever, chicken-pox, cytomegalovirus (CMV), orthopox variola virus, orthopox alastrim virus, parapox ovis virus, molluscum contagiosum virus, herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, herpes B virus, varicella zoster virus, pseudorabies virus, human cytomegaly virus, human herpes virus 6, human herpes virus 7, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus 8, hepatitis B virus, chikungunya virus, O'nyong'nyong virus, rubivirus, hepatitis C virus, GB virus C, West Nile virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, louping ill virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Japan B encephalitis virus, Powassan virus, FSME virus, SARS-associated corona virus, human corona virus 229E, human corona virus Oc43, Torovirus, human T cell lymphotropic virus type I, human T cell lymphotropic virus type II, HIV (AIDS), i.e. human immunodeficiency virus type 1 or human immunodeficiency virus type 2, Lassa virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Tacaribe virus, Junin virus, Machupo virus, Borna disease virus, Bunyamwera virus, California encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus, sand fly fever virus, Toscana virus, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Hazara virus, Khasan virus, Hantaan virus, Seoul virus, Prospect Hill virus, Puumala virus, Dobrava Belgrade virus, Tula virus, sin nombre virus, Lake Victoria Marburg virus, Zaire Ebola virus, Sudan Ebola virus, Ivory Coast Ebola virus, influenza virus A, influenza virus B, influenza viruses C, parainfluenza virus, measles virus, mumps virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus, rabies virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage virus, European bat lyssavirus 1+2, Australian bat lyssavirus, adenoviruses A-F, human papilloma viruses, condyloma virus 6, condyloma virus 11, polyoma viruses, adeno-associated virus 2, rotaviruses, or orbiviruses, Varicella including Varizella zoster, and malaria virus.

According to another preferred embodiment, depressive disorders are selected from, without being limited thereto, major depressive disorders, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, clinical depression, or simply depression, bipolar disorders, mania and maniac depression.

Since JNK inhibitor sequences as known in the art only proved usability for a limited number of diseases, it was a surprising result, that JNK inhibitor sequences as defined herein may be used and are suitable for the treatment of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as mentioned above. This was neither obvious nor suggested by the prior art, even though JNK inhibitor sequences in general have been known from the art.

Typically, a JNK inhibitor sequence as defined above may be derived from a human or rat IB1 sequence, preferably from an amino acid sequence as defined or encoded by any of sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 102 (depicts the IB1 cDNA sequence from rat and its predicted amino acid sequence), SEQ ID NO: 103 (depicts the IB1 protein sequence from rat encoded by the exon-intron boundary of the rIB1 gene—splice donor), SEQ ID NO: 104 (depicts the IB1 protein sequence from Homo sapiens), or SEQ ID NO: 105 (depicts the IB1 cDNA sequence from Homo sapiens), more preferably from an amino acid sequence as defined or encoded by any of sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 104 (depicts the IB1 protein sequence from Homo sapiens), or SEQ ID NO: 105 (depicts the IB1 cDNA sequence from Homo sapiens), or from any fragments or variants thereof. In other words, the JNK inhibitor sequence comprises a fragment, variant, or variant of such fragment of a human or rat IB1 sequence. Human or rat IB sequences are defined or encoded, respectively, by the sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 104 or SEQ ID NO: 105.

Preferably, such a JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein comprises a total length of less than 150 amino acid residues, preferably a range of 5 to 150 amino acid residues, more preferably 10 to 100 amino acid residues, even more preferably 10 to 75 amino acid residues and most preferably a range of 10 to 50 amino acid residues, e.g. 10 to 30, 10 to 20, or 10 to 15 amino acid residues.

More preferably, such a JNK inhibitor sequence and the above ranges may be selected from any of the above mentioned sequences, even more preferably from an amino acid sequence as defined according to SEQ ID NO: 104 or as encoded by SEQ ID NO: 105, even more preferably in the region between nucleotides 420 and 980 of SEQ ID NO: 105 or amino acids 105 and 291 of SEQ ID NO: 104, and most preferably in the region between nucleotides 561 and 647 of SEQ ID NO: 105 or amino acids 152 and 180 of SEQ ID NO: 104.

According to a particular embodiment, a JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein typically binds JNK and/or inhibits the activation of at least one JNK activated transcription factor, e.g. c-Jun or ATF2 (see e.g. SEQ ID NOs: 15 and 16, respectively) or Elk1.

Likewise, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein preferably comprises or consists of at least one amino acid sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4, 13 to 20 and 33 to 100, or a fragment, derivative or variant thereof. More preferably, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may contain 1, 2, 3, 4 or even more copies of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4, 13 to 20 and 33 to 100, or a variant, fragment or derivative thereof. If present in more than one copy, these amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4, 13 to 20 and 33 to 100, or variants, fragments, or derivatives thereof as used herein may be directly linked with each other without any linker sequence or via a linker sequence comprising 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 amino acids. Amino acids forming the linker sequence are preferably selected from glycine or proline as amino acid residues. More preferably, these amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4, 13 to 20 and 33 to 100, or fragments, variants or derivatives thereof, as used herein, may be separated by each other by a hinge of two, three or more proline residues.

The JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may be composed of L-amino acids, D-amino acids, or a combination of both. Preferably, the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein comprise at least 1 or even 2, preferably at least 3, 4 or 5, more preferably at least 6, 7, 8 or 9 and even more preferably at least 10 or more D- and/or L-amino acids, wherein the D- and/or L-amino acids may be arranged in the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein in a blockwise, a non-blockwise or in an alternate manner.

According to one preferred embodiment the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may be exclusively composed of L-amino acids. The JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may then comprise or consist of at least one “native JNK inhibitor sequence” according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3. In this context, the term “native” or “native JNK inhibitor sequence(s)” is referred to non-altered JNK inhibitor sequences according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3, as used herein, entirely composed of L-amino acids.

Accordingly, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one (native) amino acid sequence NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)—X_(n) ^(a)-RPTTLXLXXXXXXXQD-X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (L-IB generic (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 3] and/or the JNK binding domain (JBDs) of IB1 XRPTTLXLXXXXXXXQDS/TX (L-IB (generic)) [SEQ ID NO: 19]. In this context, each X typically represents an amino acid residue, preferably selected from any (native) amino acid residue. X_(n) ^(a) typically represents one amino acid residue, preferably selected from any amino acid residue except serine or threonine, wherein n (the number of repetitions of X) is 0 or 1. Furthermore, each X_(n) ^(b) may be selected from any amino acid residue, wherein n (the number of repetitions of X) is 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-30 or more, provided that if n (the number of repetitions of X) is 0 for X_(n) ^(a), X_(n) ^(b) does preferably not comprise a serine or threonine at its C-terminus, in order to avoid a serine or threonine at this position. Preferably, X_(n) ^(b) represents a contiguous stretch of peptide residues derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3. X_(n) ^(a) and X_(n) ^(b) may represent either D or L amino acids. Additionally, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one (native) amino acid sequence selected from the group comprising the JNK binding domain of IB1 DTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT (L-IB1) [SEQ ID NO: 17]. More preferably, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein further may comprise or consist of at least one (native) amino acid sequence NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH (L-IB1(s)) [SEQ ID NO: 1]. Furthermore, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one (native) amino acid sequence selected from the group comprising the JNK binding domain of IB1 L-IB1(s1) (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 33); L-IB1(s2) (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 34); L-IB1(s3) (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVPRS-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 35); L-IB1 (s4) (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQVPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 36); L-IB1(s5) (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQVP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 37); L-IB1(s6) (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFPQV-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 38); L-IB1(s7) (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 39); L-IB1(s8) (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 40); L-IB1(s9) (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 41); L-IB1(s10) (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPRS-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 42); L-IB1(s11) (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 43); L-IB1(s12) (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQVP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 44); L-IB1 (s13) (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQV-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 45); L-IB1(s14) (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 46); L-IB1(s15) (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 47); L-IB1(s16) (NH₂-NLFPQVPRSQD-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 48); L-IB1(s17) (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 49); L-IB1(s18) (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRS-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 50); L-IB1(s19) (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 51); L-IB1(s20) (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 52); L-IB1(s21) (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQV-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 53); L-IB1(s22) (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 54); L-IB1(s23) (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 55); L-IB1(s24) (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLF-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 56); L-IB1(s25) (NH₂-LFPQVPRSQD-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 57); L-IB1(s26) (NH₂-NLFPQVPRSQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 58); L-IB1(s27) (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRS-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 59); L-IB1(s28) (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 60); L-IB1(s29) (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 61); L-IB1(s30) (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQV-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 62); L-IB1(s31) (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQ-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 63); L-IB1(s32) (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 64); L-IB1(s33) (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLF-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 65); and L-IB1(s34) (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNL-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 66).

Additionally, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one (native) amino acid sequence selected from the group comprising the (long) JNK binding domain (JBDs) of IB1 PGTGCGDTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT (IB1-long) [SEQ ID NO: 13], the (long) JNK binding domain of IB2 IPSPSVEEPHKHRPTTLRLTTLGAQDS (IB2-long) [SEQ ID NO: 14], the JNK binding domain of c-Jun GAYGYSNPKILKQSMTLNLADPVGNLKPH (c-Jun) [SEQ ID NO: 15], the JNK binding domain of ATF2 TNEDHLAVHKHKHEMTLKFGPARNDSVIV (ATF2) [SEQ ID NO: 16] (see e.g. FIG. 1A-1C). In this context, an alignment revealed a partially conserved 8 amino acid sequence (see e.g. FIG. 1A) and a further comparison of the JBDs of IB1 and IB2 revealed two blocks of seven and three amino acids that are highly conserved between the two sequences.

According to another preferred embodiment the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may be composed in part or exclusively of D-amino acids as defined above. More preferably, these JNK inhibitor sequences composed of D-amino acids are non-native D retro-inverso sequences of the above (native) JNK inhibitor sequences. The term “retro-inverso sequences” refers to an isomer of a linear peptide sequence in which the direction of the sequence is reversed and the chirality of each amino acid residue is inverted (see e.g. Jameson et al., Nature, 368, 744-746 (1994); Brady et al., Nature, 368, 692-693 (1994)). The advantage of combining D-enantiomers and reverse synthesis is that the positions of carbonyl and amino groups in each amide bond are exchanged, while the position of the side-chain groups at each alpha carbon is preserved. Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is presumed that any given L-amino acid sequence or peptide as used according to the present invention may be converted into an D retro-inverso sequence or peptide by synthesizing a reverse of the sequence or peptide for the corresponding native L-amino acid sequence or peptide.

The D retro-inverso sequences as used herein and as defined above have a variety of useful properties. For example, D retro-inverso sequences as used herein enter cells as efficiently as L-amino acid sequences as used herein, whereas the D retro-inverso sequences as used herein are more stable than the corresponding L-amino acid sequences.

Accordingly, the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one D retro-inverso sequence according to the amino acid sequence NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)-DQXXXXXXXLXLTTPR-X_(n) ^(a)—X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (D-IB1 generic (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 4] and/or XS/TDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRX (D-IB (generic)) [SEQ ID NO: 20]. As used in this context, X, X_(n) ^(a) and X_(n) ^(b) are as defined above (preferably, representing D amino acids), wherein X_(n) ^(b) preferably represents a contiguous stretch of residues derived from SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4. Additionally, the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one D retro-inverso sequence according to the amino acid sequence comprising the JNK binding domain (JBDs) of IB1 TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTD (D-IB1) [SEQ ID NO: 18]. More preferably, the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one D retro-inverso sequence according to the amino acid sequence NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH (D-IB1(s)) [SEQ ID NO: 2]. Furthermore, the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one D retro-inverso sequence according to the amino acid sequence comprising the JNK binding domain (JBDs) of IB1 D-IB1(s1) (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 67); D-IB1(s2) (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPRKP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 68); D-IB1(s3) (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTPRK-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 69); D-IB1(s4) (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTTPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 70); D-IB1(s5) (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLTTP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 71); D-IB1(s6) (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNLTT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 72); D-IB1(s7) (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 73); D-IB1(s8) (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 74); D-IB1(s9) (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRKP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 75); D-IB1(s10) (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPRK-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 76); D-IB1(s11) (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 77); D-IB1(s12) (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTTP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 78); D-IB1(s13) (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLTT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 79); D-IB1(s14) (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNLT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 80); D-IB1(s15) (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNL-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 81); D-IB1(s16) (NH₂-FLNLTTPRKPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 82); D-IB1(s17) (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRKP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 83); D-IB1(s18) (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRK-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 84); D-IB1(s19) (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 85); D-IB1(s20) (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 86); D-IB1(s21) (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 87); D-IB1(s22) (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 88); D-IB1(s23) (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNL-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 89); D-IB1(s24) (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLN-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 90); D-IB1(s25) (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFL-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 91); D-IB1(s26) (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLN-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 92); D-IB1(s27) (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNL-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 93); D-IB1(s28) (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 94); D-IB1(s29) (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTT-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 95); D-IB1(s30) (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 96); D-IB1(s31) (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 97); D-IB1(s32) (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRK-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 98); D-IB1(s33) (NH₂-FLNLTTPRKP-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 99); and D-IB1(s34) (NH₂-LNLTTPRKPR-COOH, SEQ ID NO: 100).

The JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein and as disclosed above are presented in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO:s 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100). The table presents the name of the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein, as well as their sequence identifier number, their length, and amino acid sequence. Furthermore, Table 1 shows sequences as well as their generic formulas, e.g. for SEQ ID NO's: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 11 and SEQ ID NO's: 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12, respectively. Table 1 furthermore discloses the chimeric sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-12 and 23-32 (see below), L-IB1 sequences SEQ ID NOs: 33 to 66 and D-IB1 sequences SEQ ID NOs: 67 to 100.

TABLE 1 SEQUENCE/ SEQ PEPTIDE ID NAME NO AA SEQUENCE L-IB1(s)   1 19 RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) D-IB1(s)   2 19 DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPR (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH) L-IB (generic)(s)   3 19 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-X_(n) ^(a)-RPTTLXLXXXXXXXQD-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH D-IB (generic)(s)   4 19 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-DQXXXXXXXLXLTTPR-X_(n) ^(a)-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH L-TAT   5 10 GRKKRRQRRR (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRR-COOH) D-TAT   6 10 RRRQRRKKRG (NH₂-RRRQRRKKRG-COOH) L-generic-TAT(s)   7 11 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-RKKRRQRRR-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH D-generic-TAT(s)   8 11 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-RRRQRRKKR-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH L-TAT-IB1(s)   9 31 GRKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-TAT-IB (generic)(s)  10 29 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-RKKRRQRRR-X_(n) ^(b)-X_(n) ^(a)-RPTTLXLXXXXXXXQD-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH D-TAT-IB1(s)  11 31 DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKRG (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKRG-COOH) D-TAT-IB (generic)(s)  12 29 NH₂-X_(n) ^(b)-DQXXXXXXXLXLTTPR-X_(n) ^(a)-X_(n) ^(b)-RRRQRRKKR-X_(n) ^(b)-COOH 1B1-long  13 29 PGTGCGDTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT (NH₂-PGTGCGDTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT-COOH) IB2-long  14 27 IPSPSVEEPHKHRPTTLRLTTLGAQDS (NH₂-IPSPSVEEPHKHRPTTLRLTTLGAQDS-COOH) c-Jun  15 29 GAYGYSNPKILKQSMTLNLADPVGNLKPH (NH₂-GAYGYSNPKILKQSMTLNLADPVGNLKPH-COOH) ATF2  16 29 TNEDHLAVHKHKHEMTLKFGPARNDSVIV (NH₂-TNEDHLAVHKHKHEMTLKFGPARNDSVIV-COOH) L-IB1  17 23 DTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT (NH₂-DTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT-COOH) D-IB1  18 23 TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTD (NH₂-TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTD-COOH) L-IB (generic)  19 19 XRPTTLXLXXXXXXXQDS/TX (NH₂-XRPTTLXLXXXXXXXQDS/TX-COOH) D-IB (generic)  20 19 XS/TDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRX (NH₂-XS/TDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRX-COOH) L-generic-TAT  21 17 XXXXRKKRRQRRRXXXX (NH₂-XXXXRKKRRQRRRXXXX-COOH) D-generic-TAT  22 17 XXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXX (NH₂-XXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXX-COOH) L-TAT-IB1  23 35 GRKKRRQRRRPPDTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRRPPDTYRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQDT-COOH) L-TAT-IB (generic)  24 42 XXXXXXXRKKRRQRRRXXXXXXXXRPTTLXLXXXXXXXQDS/TX (NH₂- XXXXXXXRKKRRQRRRXXXXXXXXRPTTLXLXXXXXXXQDS/TX- COOH) D-TAT-IB1  25 35 TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTDPPRRRQRRKKRG (NH₂-TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTDPPRRRQRRKKRG-COOH) D-TAT-IB (generic)  26 42 XT/SDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRXXXXXXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXXXXX (NH₂- XT/SDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRXXXXXXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXXXXX- COOH) L-TAT-IB1(s1)  27 30 RKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-RKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-TAT-IB1(s2)  28 30 GRKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-GRKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-TAT-IB1(s3)  29 29 RKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-RKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) D-TAT-IB1(s1)  30 30 DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKR (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKR-COOH) D-TAT-IB1(s2)  31 30 DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKRG (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKRG-COOH) D-TAT-IB1(s3)  32 29 DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKR (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKR-COOH) L-IB1(s1)  33 13 TLNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-IB1(s2)  34 13 TTLNLFPQVPRSQ (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH) L-IB1(s3)  35 13 PTTLNLFPQVPRS (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVPRS-COOH) L-IB1(s4)  36 13 RPTTLNLFPQVPR (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQVPR-COOH) L-IB1(s5)  37 13 KRPTTLNLFPQVP (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQVP-COOH) L-IB1(s6)  38 13 PKRPTTLNLFPQV (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFPQV-COOH) L-IB1(s7)  39 13 RPKRPTTLNLFPQ (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH) L-IB1(s8)  40 12 LNLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-IB1(s9)  41 12 TLNLFPQVPRSQ (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH) L-IB1(s10)  42 12 TTLNLFPQVPRS (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPRS-COOH) L-IB1(s11)  43 12 PTTLNLFPQVPR (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVPR-COOH) L-IB1(s12)  44 12 RPTTLNLFPQVP (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQVP-COOH) L-IB1(s13)  45 12 KRPTTLNLFPQV (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQV-COOH) L-IB1(s14)  46 12 PKRPTTLNLFPQ (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH) L-IB1(s15)  47 12 RPKRPTTLNLFP (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLFP-COOH) L-IB1(s16)  48 11 NLFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-NLFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-IB1(s17)  49 11 LNLFPQVPRSQ (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRSQ-COOH) L-IB1(s18)  50 11 TLNLFPQVPRS (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPRS-COOH) L-IB1(s19)  51 11 TTLNLFPQVPR (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVPR-COOH) L-IB1(s20)  52 11 PTTLNLFPQVP (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQVP-COOH) L-IB1(s21)  53 11 RPTTLNLFPQV (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQV-COOH) L-IB1(s22)  54 11 KRPTTLNLFPQ (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFPQ-COOH) L-IB1(s23)  55 11 PKRPTTLNLFP (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLFP-COOH) L-IB1(s24)  56 11 RPKRPTTLNLF (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNLF-COOH) L-IB1(s25)  57 10 LFPQVPRSQD (NH₂-LFPQVPRSQD-COOH) L-IB1(s26)  58 10 NLFPQVPRSQ (NH₂-NLFPQVPRSQ-COOH) L-IB1(s27)  59 10 LNLFPQVPRS (NH₂-LNLFPQVPRS-COOH) L-IB1(s28)  60 10 TLNLFPQVPR (NH₂-TLNLFPQVPR-COOH) L-IB1(s29)  61 10 TTLNLFPQVP (NH₂-TTLNLFPQVP-COOH) L-IB1(s30)  62 10 PTTLNLFPQV (NH₂-PTTLNLFPQV-COOH) L-IB1(s31)  63 10 RPTTLNLFPQ (NH₂-RPTTLNLFPQ-COOH) L-IB1(s32)  64 10 KRPTTLNLFP (NH₂-KRPTTLNLFP-COOH) L-IB1(s33)  65 10 PKRPTTLNLF (NH₂-PKRPTTLNLF-COOH) L-IB1(s34)  66 10 RPKRPTTLNL (NH₂-RPKRPTTLNL-COOH) D-IB1(s1)  67 13 QPFLNLTTPRKPR (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH) D-IB1(s2)  68 13 VQPFLNLTTPRKP (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPRKP-COOH) D-IB1(s3)  69 13 PVQPFLNLTTPRK (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTPRK-COOH) D-IB1(s4)  70 13 RPVQPFLNLTTPR (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTTPR-COOH) D-IB1(s5)  71 13 SRPVQPFLNLTTP (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLTTP-COOH) D-IB1(s6)  72 13 QSRPVQPFLNLTT (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNLTT-COOH) D-IB1(s7)  73 13 DQSRPVQPFLNLT (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLT-COOH) D-IB1(s8)  74 12 PFLNLTTPRKPR (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRKPR-COOH) D-IB1(s9)  75 12 QPFLNLTTPRKP (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRKP-COOH) D-IB1(s10)  76 12 VQPFLNLTTPRK (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPRK-COOH) D-IB1(s11)  77 12 PVQPFLNLTTPR (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTPR-COOH) D-IB1(s12)  78 12 RPVQPFLNLTTP (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTTP-COOH) D-IB1(s13)  79 12 SRPVQPFLNLTT (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLTT-COOH) D-IB1(s14)  80 12 QSRPVQPFLNLT (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNLT-COOH) D-IB1(s15)  81 12 DQSRPVQPFLNL (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNL-COOH) D-IB1(s16)  82 11 FLNLTTPRKPR (NH₂-FLNLTTPRKPR-COOH) D-IB1(s17)  83 11 PFLNLTTPRKP (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRKP-COOH) D-IB1(s18)  84 11 QPFLNLTTPRK (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPRK-COOH) D-IB1(s19)  85 11 VQPFLNLTTPR (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTPR-COOH) D-IB1(s20)  86 11 PVQPFLNLTTP (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTTP-COOH) D-IB1(s21)  87 11 RPVQPFLNLTT (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLTT-COOH) D-IB1(s22)  88 11 SRPVQPFLNLT (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNLT-COOH) D-IB1(s23)  89 11 QSRPVQPFLNL (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLNL-COOH) D-IB1(s24)  90 11 DQSRPVQPFLN (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLN-COOH) D-IB1(s25)  91 10 DQSRPVQPFL (NH₂-DQSRPVQPFL-COOH) D-IB1(s26)  92 10 QSRPVQPFLN (NH₂-QSRPVQPFLN-COOH) D-IB1(s27)  93 10 SRPVQPFLNL (NH₂-SRPVQPFLNL-COOH) D-IB1(s28)  94 10 RPVQPFLNLT (NH₂-RPVQPFLNLT-COOH) D-IB1(s29)  95 10 PVQPFLNLTT (NH₂-PVQPFLNLTT-COOH) D-IB1(s30)  96 10 VQPFLNLTTP (NH₂-VQPFLNLTTP-COOH) D-IB1(s31)  97 10 QPFLNLTTPR (NH₂-QPFLNLTTPR-COOH) D-IB1(s32)  98 10 PFLNLTTPRK (NH₂-PFLNLTTPRK-COOH) D-IB1(s33)  99 10 FLNLTTPRKP (NH₂-FLNLTTPRKP-COOH) D-IB1(s34) 100 10 LNLTTPRKPR (NH₂-LNLTTPRKPR-COOH)

According to another preferred embodiment, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein comprises or consists of at least one variant, fragment and/or derivative of the above defined native or non-native amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100. Preferably, these variants, fragments and/or derivatives retain biological activity of the above disclosed native or non-native JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein, particularly of native or non-native amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, i.e. binding JNK and/or inhibiting the activation of at least one JNK activated transcription factor, e.g. c-Jun, ATF2 or Elk1. Functionality may be tested by various tests, e.g. binding tests of the peptide to its target molecule or by biophysical methods, e.g. spectroscopy, computer modeling, structural analysis, etc. Particularly, an JNK inhibitor sequence or variants, fragments and/or derivatives thereof as defined above may be analyzed by hydrophilicity analysis (see e.g. Hopp and Woods, 1981. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78: 3824-3828) that can be utilized to identify the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of the peptides, thus aiding in the design of substrates for experimental manipulation, such as in binding experiments, or for antibody synthesis. Secondary structural analysis may also be performed to identify regions of an JNK inhibitor sequence or of variants, fragments and/or derivatives thereof as used herein that assume specific structural motifs (see e.g. Chou and Fasman, 1974, Biochem 13: 222-223). Manipulation, translation, secondary structure prediction, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity profiles, open reading frame prediction and plotting, and determination of sequence homologies can be accomplished using computer software programs available in the art. Other methods of structural analysis include, e.g. X-ray crystallography (see e.g. Engstrom, 1974. Biochem Exp Biol 11: 7-13), mass spectroscopy and gas chromatography (see e.g. METHODS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE, 1997, J. Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.) and computer modeling (see e.g. Fletterick and Zoller, eds., 1986. Computer Graphics and Molecular Modeling, In: CURRENT COMMUNICATIONS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) may also be employed.

Accordingly, the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein may comprise or consist of at least one variant of (native or non-native) amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100. In the context of the present invention, a “variant of a (native or non-native) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100” is preferably a sequence derived from any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, wherein the variant comprises amino acid alterations of the amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100. Such alterations typically comprise 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10 and more preferably 1 to 5 substitutions, additions and/or deletions of amino acids according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, wherein the variant exhibits a sequence identity with any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or even 99%.

If variants of (native or non-native) amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 as defined above and used herein are obtained by substitution of specific amino acids, such substitutions preferably comprise conservative amino acid substitutions. Conservative amino acid substitutions may include synonymous amino acid residues within a group which have sufficiently similar physicochemical properties, so that a substitution between members of the group will preserve the biological activity of the molecule (see e.g. Grantham, R. (1974), Science 185, 862-864). It is evident to the skilled person that amino acids may also be inserted and/or deleted in the above-defined sequences without altering their function, particularly if the insertions and/or deletions only involve a few amino acids, e.g. less than twenty, and preferably less than ten, and do not remove or displace amino acids which are critical to functional activity. Moreover, substitutions shall be avoided in variants as used herein, which lead to additional threonines at amino acid positions which are accessible for a phosphorylase, preferably a kinase, in order to avoid inactivation of the JNK-inhibitor sequence as used herein or of the chimeric peptide as used herein in vivo or in vitro.

Preferably, synonymous amino acid residues, which are classified into the same groups and are typically exchangeable by conservative amino acid substitutions, are defined in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Preferred Groups of Synonymous Amino Acid Residues Amino Acid Synonymous Residue Ser Ser, Thr, Gly, Asn Arg Arg, Gln, Lys, Glu, His Leu Ile, Phe, Tyr, Met, Val, Leu Pro Gly, Ala, (Thr), Pro Thr Pro, Ser, Ala, Gly, His, Gln, Thr Ala Gly, Thr, Pro, Ala Val Met, Tyr, Phe, Ile, Leu, Val Gly Ala, (Thr), Pro, Ser, Gly Ile Met, Tyr, Phe, Val, Leu, Ile Phe Trp, Met, Tyr, Ile, Val, Leu, Phe Tyr Trp, Met, Phe, Ile, Val, Leu, Tyr Cys Ser, Thr, Cys His Glu, Lys, Gln, Thr, Arg, His Gln Glu, Lys, Asn, His, (Thr), Arg, Gln Asn Gln, Asp, Ser, Asn Lys Glu, Gln, His, Arg, Lys Asp Glu, Asn, Asp Glu Asp, Lys, Asn, Gln, His, Arg, Glu Met Phe, Ile, Val, Leu, Met Trp Trp

A specific form of a variant of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 as used herein is a fragment of the (native or non-native) amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100″ as used herein, which is typically altered by at least one deletion as compared to SEQ ID NOs 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100. Preferably, a fragment comprises at least 4 contiguous amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, a length typically sufficient to allow for specific recognition of an epitope from any of these sequences. Even more preferably, the fragment comprises 4 to 18, 4 to 15, or most preferably 4 to 10 contiguous amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, wherein the lower limit of the range may be 4, or 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Deleted amino acids may occur at any position of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, preferably N- or C-terminally.

Furthermore, a fragment of the (native or non-native) amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, as described above, may be defined as a sequence sharing a sequence identity with any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 as used herein of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or even 99%.

The JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein may further comprise or consist of at least one derivative of (native or non-native) amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 as defined above. In this context, a “derivative of an (native or non-native) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100” is preferably an amino acid sequence derived from any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100, wherein the derivative comprises at least one modified L- or D-amino acid (forming non-natural amino acid(s)), preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10, and even more preferably 1 to 5 modified L- or D-amino acids. Derivatives of variants or fragments also fall under the scope of the present invention.

“A modified amino acid” in this respect may be any amino acid which is altered e.g. by different glycosylation in various organisms, by phosphorylation or by labeling specific amino acids. Such a label is then typically selected from the group of labels comprising:

-   -   (i) radioactive labels, i.e. radioactive phosphorylation or a         radioactive label with sulphur, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen,         etc.;     -   (ii) colored dyes (e.g. digoxygenin, etc.);     -   (iii) fluorescent groups (e.g. fluorescein, etc.);     -   (iv) chemoluminescent groups;     -   (v) groups for immobilization on a solid phase (e.g. His-tag,         biotin, strep-tag, flag-tag, antibodies, antigen, etc.); and     -   (vi) a combination of labels of two or more of the labels         mentioned under (i) to (v).

In the above context, an amino acid sequence having a sequence “sharing a sequence identity” of at least, for example, 95% to a query amino acid sequence of the present invention, is intended to mean that the sequence of the subject amino acid sequence is identical to the query sequence except that the subject amino acid sequence may include up to five amino acid alterations per each 100 amino acids of the query amino acid sequence. In other words, to obtain an amino acid sequence having a sequence of at least 95% identity to a query amino acid sequence, up to 5% (5 of 100) of the amino acid residues in the subject sequence may be inserted or substituted with another amino acid or deleted.

For sequences without exact correspondence, a “% identity” of a first sequence may be determined with respect to a second sequence. In general, these two sequences to be compared are aligned to give a maximum correlation between the sequences. This may include inserting “gaps” in either one or both sequences, to enhance the degree of alignment. A % identity may then be determined over the whole length of each of the sequences being compared (so-called global alignment), that is particularly suitable for sequences of the same or similar length, or over shorter, defined lengths (so-called local alignment), that is more suitable for sequences of unequal length.

Methods for comparing the identity and homology of two or more sequences, particularly as used herein, are well known in the art. Thus for instance, programs available in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, version 9.1 (Devereux et al., 1984, Nucleic Acids Res. 12, 387-395.), for example the programs BESTFIT and GAP, may be used to determine the % identity between two polynucleotides and the % identity and the % homology between two polypeptide sequences. BESTFIT uses the “local homology” algorithm of (Smith and Waterman (1981), J. Mol. Biol. 147, 195-197.) and finds the best single region of similarity between two sequences. Other programs for determining identity and/or similarity between sequences are also known in the art, for instance the BLAST family of programs (Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol. 215, 403-410), accessible through the home page of the NCBI at world wide web site ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and FASTA (Pearson (1990), Methods Enzymol. 783, 63-98; Pearson and Lipman (1988), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 85, 2444-2448.).

JNK-inhibitor sequences as used according to the present invention and as defined above may be obtained or produced by methods well-known in the art, e.g. by chemical synthesis or by genetic engineering methods as discussed below. For example, a peptide corresponding to a portion of an JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein including a desired region of said JNK inhibitor sequence, or that mediates the desired activity in vitro or in vivo, may be synthesized by use of a peptide synthesizer.

JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein and as defined above, may be furthermore be modified by a trafficking sequence, allowing the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein and as defined above to be transported effectively into the cells. Such modified JNK inhibitor sequence are preferably provided and used as chimeric sequences.

According to a second aspect the present invention therefore provides the use of a chimeric peptide including at least one first domain and at least one second domain, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above in a subject, wherein the first domain of the chimeric peptide comprises a trafficking sequence, while the second domain of the chimeric peptide comprises an JNK inhibitor sequence as defined above, preferably of any of sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 1-4, 13-20 and 33-100 or a derivative or a fragment thereof.

Typically, chimeric peptides as used according to the present invention have a length of at least 25 amino acid residues, e.g. 25 to 250 amino acid residues, more preferably 25 to 200 amino acid residues, even more preferably 25 to 150 amino acid residues, 25 to 100 and most preferably amino acid 25 to 50 amino acid residues.

As a first domain the chimeric peptide as used herein preferably comprises a trafficking sequence, which is typically selected from any sequence of amino acids that directs a peptide (in which it is present) to a desired cellular destination. Thus, the trafficking sequence, as used herein, typically directs the peptide across the plasma membrane, e.g. from outside the cell, through the plasma membrane, and into the cytoplasm. Alternatively, or in addition, the trafficking sequence may direct the peptide to a desired location within the cell, e.g. the nucleus, the ribosome, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a lysosome, or peroxisome, by e.g. combining two components (e.g. a component for cell permeability and a component for nuclear location) or by one single component having e.g. properties of cell membrane transport and targeted e.g. intranuclear transport. The trafficking sequence may additionally comprise another component, which is capable of binding a cytoplasmic component or any other component or compartment of the cell (e.g. endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, gloom apparatus, lysosomal vesicles). Accordingly, e.g. the trafficking sequence of the first domain and the JNK inhibitor sequence of the second domain may be localized in the cytoplasm or any other compartment of the cell. This allows to determine localization of the chimeric peptide in the cell upon uptake.

Preferably, the trafficking sequence (being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein) has a length of 5 to 150 amino acid sequences, more preferably a length of 5 to 100 and most preferably a length of from 5 to 50, 5 to 30 or even 5 to 15 amino acids.

More preferably, the trafficking sequence (contained in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein) may occur as a continuous amino acid sequence stretch in the first domain. Alternatively, the trafficking sequence in the first domain may be splitted into two or more fragments, wherein all of these fragments resemble the entire trafficking sequence and may be separated from each other by 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 amino acids, provided that the trafficking sequence as such retains its carrier properties as disclosed above. These amino acids separating the fragments of the trafficking sequence may e.g. be selected from amino acid sequences differing from the trafficking sequence. Alternatively, the first domain may contain a trafficking sequence composed of more than one component, each component with its own function for the transport of the cargo JNK inhibitor sequence of the second domain to e.g. a specific cell compartment.

The trafficking sequence as defined above may be composed of L-amino acids, D-amino acids, or a combination of both. Preferably, the trafficking sequence (being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein) may comprise at least 1 or even 2, preferably at least 3, 4 or 5, more preferably at least 6, 7, 8 or 9 and even more preferably at least 10 or more D- and/or L-amino acids, wherein the D- and/or L-amino acids may be arranged in the JNK trafficking sequences in a blockwise, a non-blockwise or in an alternate manner.

According to one alternative embodiment, the trafficking sequence of the chimeric peptide as used herein may be exclusively composed of L-amino acids. More preferably, the trafficking sequence of the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of at least one “native” trafficking sequence as defined above. In this context, the term “native” is referred to non-altered trafficking sequences, entirely composed of L-amino acids.

According to another alternative embodiment the trafficking sequence of the chimeric peptide as used herein may be exclusively composed of D-amino acids. More preferably, the trafficking sequence of the chimeric peptide as used herein may comprise a D retro-inverso peptide of the sequences as presented above.

The trafficking sequence of the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein may be obtained from naturally occurring sources or can be produced by using genetic engineering techniques or chemical synthesis (see e.g. Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., Maniatis, T. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual. 2nd edition. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.).

Sources for the trafficking sequence of the first domain may be employed including, e.g. native proteins such as e.g. the TAT protein (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,804,604 and 5,674,980, each of these references being incorporated herein by reference), VP22 (described in e.g. WO 97/05265; Elliott and O'Hare, Cell 88: 223-233 (1997)), non-viral proteins (Jackson et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10691-10695 (1992)), trafficking sequences derived from Antennapedia (e.g. the antennapedia carrier sequence) or from basic peptides, e.g. peptides having a length of 5 to 15 amino acids, preferably 10 to 12 amino acids and comprising at least 80%, more preferably 85% or even 90% basic amino acids, such as e.g. arginine, lysine and/or histidine. Furthermore, variants, fragments and derivatives of one of the native proteins used as trafficking sequences are disclosed herewith. With regard to variants, fragments and derivatives it is referred to the definition given above for JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein. Variants, fragments as well as derivatives are correspondingly defined as set forth above for JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein. Particularly, in the context of the trafficking sequence, a variant or fragment or derivative may be defined as a sequence sharing a sequence identity with one of the native proteins used as trafficking sequences as defined above of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or even 99%.

In a preferred embodiment of the chimeric peptide as used herein, the trafficking sequence of the first domain comprises or consists of a sequence derived from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)1 TAT protein, particularly some or all of the 86 amino acids that make up the TAT protein.

For a trafficking sequence (being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein), partial sequences of the full-length TAT protein may be used forming a functionally effective fragment of a TAT protein, i.e. a TAT peptide that includes the region that mediates entry and uptake into cells. As to whether such a sequence is a functionally effective fragment of the TAT protein can be determined using known techniques (see e.g. Franked et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 86: 7397-7401 (1989)). Thus, the trafficking sequence in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein may be derived from a functionally effective fragment or portion of a TAT protein sequence that comprises less than 86 amino acids, and which exhibits uptake into cells, and optionally the uptake into the cell nucleus. More preferably, partial sequences (fragments) of TAT to be used as carrier to mediate permeation of the chimeric peptide across the cell membrane, are intended to comprise the basic region (amino acids 48 to 57 or 49 to 57) of full-length TAT.

According to a more preferred embodiment, the trafficking sequence (being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein) may comprise or consist of an amino acid sequence containing TAT residues 48-57 or 49 to 57, and most preferably a generic TAT sequence NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)-RKKRRQRRR-X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (L-generic-TAT (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 7] and/or XXXXRKKRRQ RRRXXXX (L-generic-TAT) [SEQ ID NO: 21], wherein X or X_(n) ^(b) is as defined above. Furthermore, the number of “X_(n) ^(b)” residues in SEQ ID NOs: 8 is not limited to the one depicted, and may vary as described above. Alternatively, the trafficking sequence being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein may comprise or consist of a peptide containing e.g. the amino acid sequence NH₂-GRKKRRQRRR-COOH (L-TAT) [SEQ ID NO: 5].

According to another more preferred embodiment the trafficking sequence (being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein) may comprise a D retro-inverso peptide of the sequences as presented above, i.e. the D retro-inverso sequence of the generic TAT sequence having the sequence NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)-RRRQRRKKR-X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (D-generic-TAT (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 8] and/or XXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXX (D-generic-TAT) [SEQ ID NO: 22]. Also here, X_(n) ^(b) is as defined above (preferably representing D amino acids). Furthermore, the number of “X_(n) ^(b)” residues in SEQ ID NOs: 8 is not limited to the one depicted, and may vary as described above. Most preferably, the trafficking sequence as used herein may comprise the D retro-inverso sequence NH₂-RRRQRRKKRG-COOH (D-TAT) [SEQ ID NO: 6].

According to another embodiment the trafficking sequence being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein may comprise or consist of variants of the trafficking sequences as defined above. A “variant of a trafficking sequence” is preferably a sequence derived from a trafficking sequence as defined above, wherein the variant comprises a modification, for example, addition, (internal) deletion (leading to fragments) and/or substitution of at least one amino acid present in the trafficking sequence as defined above. Such (a) modification(s) typically comprise(s) 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10 and more preferably 1 to 5 substitutions, additions and/or deletions of amino acids. Furthermore, the variant preferably exhibits a sequence identity with the trafficking sequence as defined above, more preferably with any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 or 21-22, of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or even 99%.

Preferably, such a modification of the trafficking sequence being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein leads to a trafficking sequence with increased or decreased stability. Alternatively, variants of the trafficking sequence can be designed to modulate intracellular localization of the chimeric peptide as used herein. When added exogenously, such variants as defined above are typically designed such that the ability of the trafficking sequence to enter cells is retained (i.e. the uptake of the variant of the trafficking sequence into the cell is substantially similar to that of the native protein used a trafficking sequence). For example, alteration of the basic region thought to be important for nuclear localization (see e.g. Dang and Lee, J. Biol. Chem. 264: 18019-18023 (1989); Hauber et al., J. Virol. 63: 1181-1187 (1989); et al., J. Virol. 63: 1-8 (1989)) can result in a cytoplasmic location or partially cytoplasmic location of the trafficking sequence, and therefore, of the JNK inhibitor sequence as component of the chimeric peptide as used herein. Additional to the above, further modifications may be introduced into the variant, e.g. by linking e.g. cholesterol or other lipid moieties to the trafficking sequence to produce a trafficking sequence having increased membrane solubility. Any of the above disclosed variants of the trafficking sequences being included in the first domain of the chimeric peptide as used herein can be produced using techniques typically known to a skilled person (see e.g. Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., Maniatis, T. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual. 2nd edition. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)

As a second domain the chimeric peptide as used herein typically comprises an JNK inhibitor sequence, selected from any of the JNK inhibitor sequences as defined above, including variants, fragments and/or derivatives of these JNK inhibitor sequences.

Both domains, i.e. the first and the second domain(s), of the chimeric peptide as used herein, may be linked such as to form a functional unit. Any method for linking the first and second domain(s) as generally known in the art may be applied.

According to one embodiment, the first and the second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as used herein are preferably linked by a covalent bond. A covalent bond, as defined herein, may be e.g. a peptide bond, which may be obtained by expressing the chimeric peptide as defined above as a fusion protein. Fusion proteins, as described herein, can be formed and used in ways analogous to or readily adaptable from standard recombinant DNA techniques, as described below. However, both domains may also be linked via side chains or may be linked by a chemical linker moiety.

The first and/or second domains of the chimeric peptide as used herein may occur in one or more copies in said chimeric peptide. If both domains are present in a single copy, the first domain may be linked either to the N-terminal or the C-terminal end of the second domain. If present in multiple copies, the first and second domain(s) may be arranged in any possible order. E.g. the first domain can be present in the chimeric peptide as used herein in a multiple copy number, e.g. in two, three or more copies, which are preferably arranged in consecutive order. Then, the second domain may be present in a single copy occurring at the N- or C-terminus of the sequence comprising the first domain. Alternatively, the second domain may be present in a multiple copy number, e.g. in two, three or more copies, and the first domain may be present in a single copy. According to both alternatives, first and second domain(s) can take any place in a consecutive arrangement. Exemplary arrangements are shown in the following: e.g. first domain-first domain-first domain-second domain; first domain-first domain-second domain-first domain; first domain-second domain-first domain-first domain; or e.g. second domain-first domain-first domain-first domain. It is well understood for a skilled person that these examples are for illustration purposes only and shall not limit the scope of the invention thereto. Thus, the number of copies and the arrangement may be varied as defined initially.

Preferably, the first and second domain(s) may be directly linked with each other without any linker. Alternatively, they may be linked with each other via a linker sequence comprising 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 amino acids. Amino acids forming the linker sequence are preferably selected from glycine or proline as amino acid residues. More preferably, the first and second domain(s) may be separated by each other by a hinge of two, three or more proline residues between the first and second domain(s).

The chimeric peptide as defined above and as used herein, comprising at least one first and at least one second domain, may be composed of L-amino acids, D-amino acids, or a combination of both. Therein, each domain (as well as the linkers used) may be composed of L-amino acids, D-amino acids, or a combination of both (e.g. D-TAT and L-IB1(s) or L-TAT and D-IB1(s), etc.). Preferably, the chimeric peptide as used herein may comprise at least 1 or even 2, preferably at least 3, 4 or 5, more preferably at least 6, 7, 8 or 9 and even more preferably at least 10 or more D- and/or L-amino acids, wherein the D- and/or L-amino acids may be arranged in the chimeric peptide as used herein in a blockwise, a non-blockwise or in an alternate manner.

According to a specific embodiment the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the L-amino acid chimeric peptides according to the generic L-TAT-IB peptide NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)-RKKRRQRRR-X_(n) ^(b)—X_(n) ^(a)-RPTTLXLXXXXXXXQD-X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (L-TAT-IB (generic) (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 10], wherein X, X_(n) ^(a) and X_(n) ^(b) are preferably as defined above. More preferably, the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the L-amino acid chimeric peptide NH₂-GRKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD-COOH (L-TAT-IB1 (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 9]. Alternatively or additionally, the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the L-amino acid chimeric peptide sequence GRKKRRQRRR PPDTYRPKRP TTLNLFPQVP RSQDT (L-TAT-IB1) [SEQ ID NO: 23], or XXXXXXXRKK RRQRRRXXXX XXXXRPTTLX LXXXXXXXQD S/TX (L-TAT-IB generic) [SEQ ID NO: 24], wherein X is preferably also as defined above, or the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the L-amino acid chimeric peptide sequence RKKRRQRRRPPRPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (L-TAT-IB1(s1)) [SEQ ID NO: 27], GRKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (L-TAT-IB1(s2)) [SEQ ID NO: 28], or RKKRRQRRRX_(n) ^(c)RPKRPTTLNLFPQVPRSQD (L-TAT-IB1(s3)) [SEQ ID NO: 29]. In this context, each X typically represents an amino acid residue as defined above, more preferably X_(n) ^(c) represents a contiguous stretch of peptide residues, each X independently selected from each other from glycine or proline, e.g. a monotonic glycine stretch or a monotonic proline stretch, wherein n (the number of repetitions of X_(n) ^(c)) is typically 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-30 or even more, preferably 0-5 or 5-10. X_(n) ^(c) may represent either D or L amino acids.

According to an alternative specific embodiment the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of D-amino acid chimeric peptides of the above disclosed L-amino acid chimeric peptides. Exemplary D retro-inverso chimeric peptides according to the present invention are e.g. the generic D-TAT-IB peptide NH₂—X_(n) ^(b)-DQXXXXXXXLXLTTPR-X_(n) ^(a)—X_(n) ^(b)-RRRQRRKKR-X_(n) ^(b)—COOH (D-TAT-IB (generic) (s)) [SEQ ID NO: 12]. Herein, X, X_(n) ^(a) and X_(n) ^(b) are preferably as defined above (preferably representing D amino acids). More preferably, the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of D-amino acid chimeric peptides according to the TAT-IB1 peptide NH₂-DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKRG-COOH (D-TAT-IB1(s)) [SEQ ID NO: 11]. Alternatively or additionally, the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the D-amino acid chimeric peptide sequence TDQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRYTDPPRRRQRRKKRG (D-TAT-IB1) [SEQ ID NO: 25], or XT/SDQXXXXXXXLXLTTPRXXXXXXXXRRRQRRKKRXXXXXXX (D-TAT-IB generic) [SEQ ID NO: 26], wherein X is preferably also as defined above, or the chimeric peptide as used herein comprises or consists of the D-amino acid chimeric peptide sequence DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRPPRRRQRRKKR (D-TAT-IB1(s1)) [SEQ ID NO: 30], DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKRG (D-TAT-IB1(s2)) [SEQ ID NO: 31], or DQSRPVQPFLNLTTPRKPRX_(n) ^(c)RRRQRRKKR (D-TAT-IB1(s3)) [SEQ ID NO: 32]. X_(n) ^(c) may be as defined above.

The first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above may be linked to each other by chemical or biochemical coupling carried out in any suitable manner known in the art, e.g. by establishing a peptide bond between the first and the second domain(s) e.g. by expressing the first and second domain(s) as a fusion protein, or e.g. by crosslinking the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above.

Many known methods suitable for chemical crosslinking of the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above are non-specific, i.e. they do not direct the point of coupling to any particular site on the transport polypeptide or cargo macromolecule. As a result, use of non-specific crosslinking agents may attack functional sites or sterically block active sites, rendering the conjugated proteins biologically inactive. Thus, preferably such crosslinking methods are used, which allow a more specific coupling of the first and second domain(s).

In this context, one way to increasing coupling specificity is a direct chemical coupling to a functional group present only once or a few times in one or both of the first and second domain(s) to be crosslinked. For example, cysteine, which is the only protein amino acid containing a thiol group, occurs in many proteins only a few times. Also, for example, if a polypeptide contains no lysine residues, a crosslinking reagent specific for primary amines will be selective for the amino terminus of that polypeptide. Successful utilization of this approach to increase coupling specificity requires that the polypeptide have the suitably rare and reactive residues in areas of the molecule that may be altered without loss of the molecule's biological activity. Cysteine residues may be replaced when they occur in parts of a polypeptide sequence where their participation in a crosslinking reaction would otherwise likely interfere with biological activity. When a cysteine residue is replaced, it is typically desirable to minimize resulting changes in polypeptide folding. Changes in polypeptide folding are minimized when the replacement is chemically and sterically similar to cysteine. For these reasons, serine is preferred as a replacement for cysteine. As demonstrated in the examples below, a cysteine residue may be introduced into a polypeptide's amino acid sequence for crosslinking purposes. When a cysteine residue is introduced, introduction at or near the amino or carboxy terminus is preferred. Conventional methods are available for such amino acid sequence modifications, wherein the polypeptide of interest is produced by chemical synthesis or via expression of recombinant DNA.

Coupling of the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above and used herein can also be accomplished via a coupling or conjugating agent. There are several intermolecular crosslinking reagents which can be utilized (see for example, Means and Feeney, CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS, Holden-Day, 1974, pp. 39-43). Among these reagents are, for example, N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) or N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bismaleimide (both of which are highly specific for sulfhydryl groups and form irreversible linkages); N,N′-ethylene-bis-(iodoacetamide) or other such reagent having 6 to 11 carbon methylene bridges (which are relatively specific for sulfhydryl groups); and 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (which forms irreversible linkages with amino and tyrosine groups). Other crosslinking reagents useful for this purpose include: p,p′-difluoro-m, m′-dinitrodiphenylsulfone which forms irreversible crosslinkages with amino and phenolic groups); dimethyl adipimidate (which is specific for amino groups); phenol-1,4 disulfonylchloride (which reacts principally with amino groups); hexamethylenediisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, or azophenyl-p-diisocyanate (which reacts principally with amino groups); glutaraldehyde (which reacts with several different side chains) and disdiazobenzidine (which reacts primarily with tyrosine and histidine).

Crosslinking reagents used for crosslinking the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above may be homobifunctional, i.e. having two functional groups that undergo the same reaction. A preferred homobifunctional crosslinking reagent is bismaleimidohexane (“BMH”). BMH contains two maleimide functional groups, which react specifically with sulfhydryl-containing compounds under mild conditions (pH 6.5-7.7). The two maleimide groups are connected by a hydrocarbon chain. Therefore, BMH is useful for irreversible crosslinking of polypeptides that contain cysteine residues.

Crosslinking reagents used for crosslinking the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above may also be heterobifunctional. Heterobifunctional crosslinking agents have two different functional groups, for example an amine-reactive group and a thiol-reactive group, that will crosslink two proteins having free amines and thiols, respectively. Examples of heterobifunctional crosslinking agents are succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (“SMCC”), m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (“MBS”), and succinimide 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (“SMPB”), an extended chain analog of MBS. The succinimidyl group of these crosslinkers reacts with a primary amine, and the thiol-reactive maleimide forms a covalent bond with the thiol of a cysteine residue.

Crosslinking reagents suitable for crosslinking the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above often have low solubility in water. A hydrophilic moiety, such as a sulfonate group, may thus be added to the crosslinking reagent to improve its water solubility. In this respect, Sulfo-MBS and Sulfo-SMCC are examples of crosslinking reagents modified for water solubility, which may be used according to the present invention.

Likewise, many crosslinking reagents yield a conjugate that is essentially non-cleavable under cellular conditions. However, some crosslinking reagents particularly suitable for crosslinking the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above contain a covalent bond, such as a disulfide, that is cleavable under cellular conditions. For example, Traut's reagent, dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (“DSP”), and N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (“SPDP”) are well-known cleavable crosslinkers. The use of a cleavable crosslinking reagent permits the cargo moiety to separate from the transport polypeptide after delivery into the target cell. Direct disulfide linkage may also be useful.

Numerous crosslinking reagents, including the ones discussed above, are commercially available. Detailed instructions for their use are readily available from the commercial suppliers. A general reference on protein crosslinking and conjugate preparation is: Wong, CHEMISTRY OF PROTEIN CONJUGATION AND CROSSLINKING, CRC Press (1991).

Chemical crosslinking of the first and second domain(s) of the chimeric peptide as defined above may include the use of spacer arms. Spacer arms provide intramolecular flexibility or adjust intramolecular distances between conjugated moieties and thereby may help preserve biological activity. A spacer arm may be in the form of a polypeptide moiety that includes spacer amino acids, e.g. proline. Alternatively, a spacer arm may be part of the crosslinking reagent, such as in “long-chain SPDP” (Pierce Chem. Co., Rockford, Ill., cat. No. 21651 H).

Furthermore, variants, fragments or derivatives of one of the above disclosed chimeric peptides may be used herein. With regard to fragments and variants it is generally referred to the definition given above for JNK inhibitor sequences.

Particularly, in the context of the present invention, a “variant of a chimeric peptide” is preferably a sequence derived from any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, wherein the chimeric variant comprises amino acid alterations of the chimeric peptides according to SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32 as used herein. Such alterations typically comprise 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10 and more preferably 1 to 5 substitutions, additions and/or deletions (leading to fragments) of amino acids according to SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, wherein the altered chimeric peptide as used herein exhibits a sequence identity with any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 9-12 and 23 to 32 of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, or 95%, 98%, or even 99%. Preferably, these variants retain the biological activity of the first and the second domain as contained in the chimeric peptide as used herein, i.e. the trafficking activity of the first domain as disclosed above and the activity of the second domain for binding JNK and/or inhibiting the activation of at least one JNK activated transcription factor.

Accordingly, the chimeric peptide as used herein also comprises fragments of the afore disclosed chimeric peptides, particularly of the chimeric peptide sequences according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32. Thus, in the context of the present invention, a “fragment of the chimeric peptide” is preferably a sequence derived any of the sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, wherein the fragment comprises at least 4 contiguous amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32. This fragment preferably comprises a length which is sufficient to allow specific recognition of an epitope from any of these sequences and to transport the sequence into the cells, the nucleus or a further preferred location. Even more preferably, the fragment comprises 4 to 18, 4 to 15, or most preferably 4 to 10 contiguous amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32. Fragments of the chimeric peptide as used herein further may be defined as a sequence sharing a sequence identity with any of the sequences according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 99 to 12 and 23 to 32 of at least about 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, or 95%, 98%, or even 99%.

Finally, the chimeric peptide as used herein also comprises derivatives of the afore disclosed chimeric peptides, particularly of the chimeric peptide sequences according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32.

The present invention additionally refers to the use of nucleic acid sequences encoding JNK inhibitor sequences as defined above, chimeric peptides or their fragments, variants or derivatives, all as defined above, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above in a subject. A preferable suitable nucleic acid encoding an JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein is typically chosen from human IB1 nucleic acid (GenBank Accession No. (AF074091), rat IB1 nucleic acid (GenBank Accession No. AF 108959), or human IB2 (GenBank Accession No AF218778) or from any nucleic acid sequence encoding any of the sequences as defined above, i.e. any sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1-26.

Nucleic acids encoding the JNK inhibitor sequences as used herein or chimeric peptides as used herein may be obtained by any method known in the art (e.g. by PCR amplification using synthetic primers hybridizable to the 3′- and 5′-termini of the sequence and/or by cloning from a cDNA or genomic library using an oligonucleotide sequence specific for the given gene sequence).

Additionally, nucleic acid sequences are disclosed herein as well, which hybridize under stringent conditions with the appropriate strand coding for a (native) JNK inhibitor sequence or chimeric peptide as defined above. Preferably, such nucleic acid sequences comprise at least 6 (contiguous) nucleic acids, which have a length sufficient to allow for specific hybridization. More preferably, such nucleic acid sequences comprise 6 to 38, even more preferably 6 to 30, and most preferably 6 to 20 or 6 to 10 (contiguous) nucleic acids.

“Stringent conditions” are sequence dependent and will be different under different circumstances. Generally, stringent conditions can be selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (TM) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH.

The TM is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is at least about 0.02 molar at pH 7 and the temperature is at least about 60° C. As other factors may affect the stringency of hybridization (including, among others, base composition and size of the complementary strands), the presence of organic solvents and the extent of base mismatching, the combination of parameters is more important than the absolute measure of any one.

“High stringency conditions” may comprise the following, e.g. Step 1: Filters containing DNA are pretreated for 8 hours to overnight at 65° C. in buffer composed of 6*SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% BSA, and 500 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Step 2: Filters are hybridized for 48 hours at 65° C. in the above prehybridization mixture to which is added 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA and 5-20*10⁶ cpm of ³²P-labeled probe. Step 3: Filters are washed for 1 hour at 37° C. in a solution containing 2*SSC, 0.01% PVP, 0.01% Ficoll, and 0.01% BSA. This is followed by a wash in 0.1*SSC at 50° C. for 45 minutes. Step 4: Filters are autoradiographed. Other conditions of high stringency that may be used are well known in the art (see e.g. Ausubel et al., (eds.), 1993, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and Sons, NY; and Kriegler, 1990, Gene Transfer and Expression, a Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY).

“Moderate stringency conditions” can include the following: Step 1: Filters containing DNA are pretreated for 6 hours at 55° C. in a solution containing 6*SSC, 5*Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS and 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Step 2: Filters are hybridized for 18-20 hours at 55° C. in the same solution with 5-20*10⁶ cpm ³²P-labeled probe added. Step 3: Filters are washed at 37° C. for 1 hour in a solution containing 2*SSC, 0.1% SDS, then washed twice for 30 minutes at 60° C. in a solution containing 1*SSC and 0.1% SDS. Step 4: Filters are blotted dry and exposed for autoradiography. Other conditions of moderate stringency that may be used are well-known in the art (see e.g. Ausubel et al., (eds.), 1993, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and Sons, NY; and Kriegler, 1990, Gene Transfer and Expression, a Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY).

Finally, “low stringency conditions” can include: Step 1: Filters containing DNA are pretreated for 6 hours at 40° C. in a solution containing 35% formamide, 5×SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 5 mM EDTA, 0.1% PVP, 0.1% Ficoll, 1% BSA, and 500 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Step 2: Filters are hybridized for 18-20 hours at 40° C. in the same solution with the addition of 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.2% BSA, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 10% (wt/vol) dextran sulfate, and 5-20×106 cpm ³²P-labeled probe. Step 3: Filters are washed for 1.5 hours at 55 C in a solution containing 2×SSC, 25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 5 mM EDTA, and 0.1% SDS. The wash solution is replaced with fresh solution and incubated an additional 1.5 hours at 60° C. Step 4: Filters are blotted dry and exposed for autoradiography. If necessary, filters are washed for a third time at 65-68° C. and reexposed to film. Other conditions of low stringency that may be used are well known in the art (e.g. as employed for cross-species hybridizations). See e.g. Ausubel et al., (eds.), 1993, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley and Sons, NY; and Kriegler, 1990, GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Stockton Press, NY.

The nucleic acid sequences as defined above according to the present invention can be used to express peptides, i.e. an JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein or an chimeric peptide as used herein for analysis, characterization or therapeutic use; as markers for tissues in which the corresponding peptides (as used herein) are preferentially expressed (either constitutively or at a particular stage of tissue differentiation or development or in disease states). Other uses for these nucleic acids include, e.g. molecular weight markers in gel electrophoresis-based analysis of nucleic acids.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, expression vectors may be used for the above purposes for recombinant expression of one or more JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined above. The term “expression vector” is used herein to designate either circular or linear DNA or RNA, which is either double-stranded or single-stranded. It further comprises at least one nucleic acid as defined above to be transferred into a host cell or into a unicellular or multicellular host organism. The expression vector as used herein preferably comprises a nucleic acid as defined above encoding the JNK inhibitor sequence as used herein or a fragment or a variant thereof, or the chimeric peptide as used herein, or a fragment or a variant thereof. Additionally, an expression vector according to the present invention preferably comprises appropriate elements for supporting expression including various regulatory elements, such as enhancers/promoters from viral, bacterial, plant, mammalian, and other eukaryotic sources that drive expression of the inserted polynucleotide in host cells, such as insulators, boundary elements, LCRs (e.g. described by Blackwood and Kadonaga (1998), Science 281, 61-63) or matrix/scaffold attachment regions (e.g. described by Li, Harju and Peterson, (1999), Trends Genet. 15, 403-408). In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are heterologous (i.e. not the native gene promoter). Alternately, the necessary transcriptional and translational signals may also be supplied by the native promoter for the genes and/or their flanking regions.

The term “promoter” as used herein refers to a region of DNA that functions to control the transcription of one or more nucleic acid sequences as defined above, and that is structurally identified by the presence of a binding site for DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase and of other DNA sequences, which interact to regulate promoter function. A functional expression promoting fragment of a promoter is a shortened or truncated promoter sequence retaining the activity as a promoter. Promoter activity may be measured by any assay known in the art (see e.g. Wood, de Wet, Dewji, and DeLuca, (1984), Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 124, 592-596; Seliger and McElroy, (1960), Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 88, 136-141) or commercially available from Promega®).

An “enhancer region” to be used in the expression vector as defined herein, typically refers to a region of DNA that functions to increase the transcription of one or more genes. More specifically, the term “enhancer”, as used herein, is a DNA regulatory element that enhances, augments, improves, or ameliorates expression of a gene irrespective of its location and orientation vis-à-vis the gene to be expressed, and may be enhancing, augmenting, improving, or ameliorating expression of more than one promoter.

The promoter/enhancer sequences to be used in the expression vector as defined herein, may utilize plant, animal, insect, or fungus regulatory sequences. For example, promoter/enhancer elements can be used from yeast and other fungi (e.g. the GAL4 promoter, the alcohol dehydrogenase promoter, the phosphoglycerol kinase promoter, the alkaline phosphatase promoter). Alternatively, or in addition, they may include animal transcriptional control regions, e.g. (i) the insulin gene control region active within pancreatic beta-cells (see e.g. Hanahan, et al., 1985. Nature 315: 115-122); (ii) the immunoglobulin gene control region active within lymphoid cells (see e.g. Grosschedl, et al., 1984, Cell 38: 647-658); (iii) the albumin gene control region active within liver (see e.g. Pinckert, et al., 1987. Genes and Dev 1: 268-276; (iv) the myelin basic protein gene control region active within brain oligodendrocyte cells (see e.g. Readhead, et al., 1987, Cell 48: 703-712); and (v) the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene control region active within the hypothalamus (see e.g. Mason, et al., 1986, Science 234: 1372-1378), and the like.

Additionally, the expression vector as defined herein may comprise an amplification marker. This amplification marker may be selected from the group consisting of, e.g. adenosine deaminase (ADA), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), multiple drug resistance gene (MDR), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate resistance (CAD).

Exemplary expression vectors or their derivatives suitable for the present invention particularly include, e.g. human or animal viruses (e.g. vaccinia virus or adenovirus); insect viruses (e.g. baculovirus); yeast vectors; bacteriophage vectors (e.g. lambda phage); plasmid vectors and cosmid vectors.

The present invention additionally may utilize a variety of host-vector systems, which are capable of expressing the peptide coding sequence(s) of nucleic acids as defined above. These include, but are not limited to: (i) mammalian cell systems that are infected with vaccinia virus, adenovirus, and the like; (ii) insect cell systems infected with baculovirus and the like; (iii) yeast containing yeast vectors or (iv) bacteria transformed with bacteriophage, DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA. Depending upon the host-vector system utilized, any one of a number of suitable transcription and translation elements may be used.

Preferably, a host cell strain, suitable for such a host-vector system, may be selected that modulates the expression of inserted sequences of interest, or modifies or processes expressed peptides encoded by the sequences in the specific manner desired. In addition, expression from certain promoters may be enhanced in the presence of certain inducers in a selected host strain; thus facilitating control of the expression of a genetically-engineered peptide. Moreover, different host cells possess characteristic and specific mechanisms for the translational and post-translational processing and modification (e.g. glycosylation, phosphorylation, and the like) of expressed peptides. Appropriate cell lines or host systems may thus be chosen to ensure the desired modification and processing of the foreign peptide is achieved. For example, peptide expression within a bacterial system can be used to produce an non-glycosylated core peptide; whereas expression within mammalian cells ensures “native” glycosylation of a heterologous peptide.

The present invention further provides the use of antibodies directed against the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as described above, for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined herein. Furthermore, efficient means for production of antibodies specific for JNK inhibitor sequences according to the present invention, or for chimeric peptides containing such an inhibitor sequence, are described and may be utilized for this purpose.

According to the invention, JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined herein, as well as, fragments, variants or derivatives thereof, may be utilized as immunogens to generate antibodies that immunospecifically bind these peptide components. Such antibodies include, e.g. polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, single chain, Fab fragments and a Fab expression library. In a specific embodiment the present invention provides antibodies to chimeric peptides or to JNK inhibitor sequences as defined above. Various procedures known within the art may be used for the production of these antibodies.

By way of example, various host animals may be immunized for production of polyclonal antibodies by injection with any chimeric peptide or JNK inhibitor sequence as defined above. Various adjuvants may be used thereby to increase the immunological response which include, but are not limited to, Freund's (complete and incomplete) adjuvant, mineral gels (e.g. aluminum hydroxide), surface active substances (e.g. lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, dinitrophenol, etc.), CpG, polymers, Pluronics, and human adjuvants such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and Corynebacterium parvum.

For preparation of monoclonal antibodies directed towards an chimeric peptide or a JNK inhibitor sequence as defined above, any technique may be utilized that provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell line culture. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique (see Kohler and Milstein, 1975. Nature 256: 495-497); the trioma technique; the human B-cell hybridoma technique (see Kozbor, et al., 1983, Immunol Today 4: 72) and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (see Cole, et al., 1985. In: Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Human monoclonal antibodies may be utilized in the practice of the present invention and may be produced by the use of human hybridomas (see Cote, et al., 1983. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80: 2026-2030) or by transforming human B-cells with Epstein Barr Virus in vitro (see Cole, et al., 1985. In: Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy (Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96).

According to the invention, techniques can be adapted for the production of single-chain antibodies specific to the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778) as defined herein. In addition, methods can be adapted for the construction of Fab expression libraries (see e.g. Huse et al., 1989. Science 246: 1275-1281) to allow rapid and effective identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity for these JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides. Non-human antibodies can be “humanized” by techniques well known in the art (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539). Antibody fragments that contain the idiotypes to a JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptide as defined herein may be produced by techniques known in the art including, e.g. (i) a F(ab′)₂ fragment produced by pepsin digestion of an antibody molecule; (ii) a Fab fragment generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of an F(ab′)₂ fragment; (iii) a Fab fragment generated by the treatment of the antibody molecule with papain and a reducing agent and (iv) Fv fragments.

In one embodiment of this invention, methods, that may be utilized for the screening of antibodies and which possess the desired specificity include, but are not limited to, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other immunologically-mediated techniques known within the art. In a specific embodiment, selection of antibodies that are specific to a particular epitope of an JNK inhibitor sequence and/or an chimeric peptide as defined herein (e.g. a fragment thereof typically comprising a length of from 5 to 20, preferably 8 to 18 and most preferably 8 to 11 amino acids) is facilitated by generation of hybridomas that bind to the fragment of an JNK inhibitor sequence and/or an chimeric peptide, as defined herein, possessing such an epitope. These antibodies that are specific for an epitope as defined above are also provided herein.

The antibodies as defined herein may be used in methods known within the art referring to the localization and/or quantification of an JNK inhibitor sequence (and/or correspondingly to a chimeric peptide as defined above), e.g. for use in measuring levels of the peptide within appropriate physiological samples, for use in diagnostic methods, or for use in imaging the peptide, and the like.

The JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and/or antibodies as defined according to the invention can be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition, which may be applied in the prevention or treatment of any of the diseases as defined herein, particularly in the prevention or treatment of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined herein. Typically, such a pharmaceutical composition used according to the present invention includes as an active component, e.g.: (i) any one or more of the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined above, and/or variants, fragments or derivatives thereof, particularly JNK inhibitor sequences according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or chimeric peptides according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or JNK inhibitor sequences according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions; and/or (ii) nucleic acids encoding an JNK inhibitor sequence and/or an chimeric peptide as defined above and/or variants or fragments thereof, and/or (iii) cells comprising any one or more of the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides, and/or variants, fragments or derivatives thereof, as defined above and/or (iv) cells transfected with a vector and/or nucleic acids encoding an JNK inhibitor sequence and/or an chimeric peptide as defined above and/or variants or fragments thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, such a pharmaceutical composition as used according to the present invention typically comprises a safe and effective amount of a component as defined above, preferably of at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or at least one chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions, or at least one nucleic acids encoding same, or at least one vector, host cell or antibody as defined above.

The inventors of the present invention additionally found, that the JNK-inhibitor sequence and the chimeric peptide, respectively, as defined herein, exhibit a particular well uptake rate into cells involved in the diseases of the present invention. Therefore, the amount of a JNK-inhibitor sequence and chimeric peptide, respectively, in the pharmaceutical composition to be administered to a subject, may—without being limited thereto—have a very low dose. Thus, the dose may be much lower than for peptide drugs known in the art, such as DTS-108 (Florence Meyer-Losic et al., Clin Cancer Res., 2008, 2145-53). This has several positive aspects, for example a reduction of potential side reactions and a reduction in costs.

Preferably, the dose (per kg bodyweight) is in the range of up to 10 mmol/kg, preferably up to 1 mmol/kg, more preferably up to 100 μmol/kg, even more preferably up to 10 μmol/kg, even more preferably up to 1 μmol/kg, even more preferably up to 100 nmol/kg, most preferably up to 50 nmol/kg.

Thus, the dose range may preferably be from about 1 pmol/kg to about 1 mmol/kg, from about 10 pmol/kg to about 0.1 mmol/kg, from about 10 pmol/kg to about 0.01 mmol/kg, from about 50 pmol/kg to about 1 μmol/kg, from about 100 pmol/kg to about 500 nmol/kg, from about 200 pmol/kg to about 300 nmol/kg, from about 300 pmol/kg to about 100 nmol/kg, from about 500 pmol/kg to about 50 nmol/kg, from about 750 pmol/kg to about 30 nmol/kg, from about 250 pmol/kg to about 5 nmol/kg, from about 1 nmol/kg to about 10 nmol/kg, or a combination of any two of said values.

In this context, prescription of treatment, e.g. decisions on dosage etc. when using the above pharmaceutical composition is typically within the responsibility of general practitioners and other medical doctors, and typically takes account of the disorder to be treated, the condition of the individual patient, the site of delivery, the method of administration and other factors known to practitioners. Examples of the techniques and protocols mentioned above can be found in REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, 16th edition, Osol, A. (ed), 1980. Accordingly, a “safe and effective amount” as defined above for components of the pharmaceutical compositions as used according to the present invention means an amount of each or all of these components, that is sufficient to significantly induce a positive modification of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined herein. At the same time, however, a “safe and effective amount” is small enough to avoid serious side-effects, that is to say to permit a sensible relationship between advantage and risk. The determination of these limits typically lies within the scope of sensible medical judgment. A “safe and effective amount” of such a component will vary in connection with the particular condition to be treated and also with the age and physical condition of the patient to be treated, the severity of the condition, the duration of the treatment, the nature of the accompanying therapy, of the particular pharmaceutically acceptable carrier used, and similar factors, within the knowledge and experience of the accompanying doctor. The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention can be used according to the invention for human and also for veterinary medical purposes.

The pharmaceutical composition as used according to the present invention may furthermore comprise, in addition to one of these substances, a (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, buffer, stabilizer or other materials well known to those skilled in the art.

In this context, the expression “(compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” preferably includes the liquid or non-liquid basis of the composition. The term “compatible” means that the constituents of the pharmaceutical composition as used herein are capable of being mixed with the pharmaceutically active component as defined above and with one another component in such a manner that no interaction occurs which would substantially reduce the pharmaceutical effectiveness of the composition under usual use conditions.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers must, of course, have sufficiently high purity and sufficiently low toxicity to make them suitable for administration to a person to be treated.

If the pharmaceutical composition as used herein is provided in liquid form, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will typically comprise one or more (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carriers. The composition may comprise as (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carriers e.g. pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline or buffered (aqueous) solutions, e.g. phosphate, citrate etc. buffered solutions, vegetable oils, such as, for example, groundnut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil from theobroma; polyols, such as, for example, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; alginic acid, etc. Particularly for injection of the pharmaceutical composition as used herein, a buffer, preferably an aqueous buffer, may be used.

If the pharmaceutical composition as used herein is provided in solid form, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will typically comprise one or more (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable solid carriers. The composition may comprise as (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable solid carriers e.g. one or more compatible solid or liquid fillers or diluents or encapsulating compounds may be used as well, which are suitable for administration to a person. Some examples of such (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable solid carriers are e.g. sugars, such as, for example, lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as, for example, corn starch or potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives, such as, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; tallow; solid glidants, such as, for example, stearic acid, magnesium stearate; calcium sulphate, etc.

The precise nature of the (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or other material may depend on the route of administration. The choice of a (compatible) pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may thus be determined in principle by the manner in which the pharmaceutical composition as used according to the invention is administered. The pharmaceutical composition as used according to the invention can be administered, for example, systemically. Routes for administration include, for example, parenteral routes (e.g. via injection), such as intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, or transdermal routes, etc., enteral routes, such as oral, or rectal routes, etc., topical routes, such as nasal, or intranasal routes, etc., or other routes, such as epidermal routes or patch delivery.

The suitable amount of the pharmaceutical composition to be used can be determined by routine experiments with animal models. Such models include, without implying any limitation, rabbit, sheep, mouse, rat, dog and non-human primate models. Preferred unit dose forms for injection include sterile solutions of water, physiological saline or mixtures thereof. The pH of such solutions should be adjusted to about 7.4. Suitable carriers for injection include hydrogels, devices for controlled or delayed release, polylactic acid and collagen matrices. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for topical application include those, which are suitable for use in lotions, creams, gels and the like. If the compound is to be administered perorally, tablets, capsules and the like are the preferred unit dose form. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for the preparation of unit dose forms, which can be used for oral administration are well known in the prior art. The choice thereof will depend on secondary considerations such as taste, costs and storability, which are not critical for the purposes of the present invention, and can be made without difficulty by a person skilled in the art.

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration may be in tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form. A tablet may include a solid carrier as defined above, such as gelatin, and optionally an adjuvant. Liquid pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration generally may include a liquid carrier as defined above, such as water, petroleum, animal or vegetable oils, mineral oil or synthetic oil. Physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol may be included.

For intravenous, cutaneous or subcutaneous injection, or injection at the site of affliction, the active ingredient will be in the form of a parenterally acceptable aqueous solution which is pyrogen-free and has suitable pH, isotonicity and stability. Those of relevant skill in the art are well able to prepare suitable solutions using, for example, isotonic vehicles such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection. Preservatives, stabilizers, buffers, antioxidants and/or other additives may be included, as required. Whether it is a polypeptide, peptide, or nucleic acid molecule, other pharmaceutically useful compound according to the present invention that is to be given to an individual, administration is preferably in a “prophylactically effective amount or a “therapeutically effective amount” (as the case may be), this being sufficient to show benefit to the individual. The actual amount administered, and rate and time-course of administration, will depend on the nature and severity of what is being treated.

Prevention and/or treatment of a disease as defined herein typically includes administration of a pharmaceutical composition as defined above. The term “modulate” includes the suppression of expression of JNK when it is over-expressed in any of the above diseases. It also includes suppression of phosphorylation of c-jun, ATF2 or NFAT4 in any of the above diseases, for example, by using at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or at least one chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions, as a competitive inhibitor of the natural c-jun, ATF2 and NFAT4 binding site in a cell. The term “modulate” also includes suppression of hetero- and homomeric complexes of transcription factors made up of, without being limited thereto, c-jun, ATF2, or NFAT4 and their related partners, such as for example the AP-1 complex that is made up of c-jun, AFT2 and c-fos. When a disease or disorder strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above is associated with JNK overexpression, such suppressive JNK inhibitor sequences can be introduced to a cell. In some instances, “modulate” may then include the increase of JNK expression, for example by use of an IB peptide-specific antibody that blocks the binding of an IB-peptide to JNK, thus preventing JNK inhibition by the IB-related peptide.

Prevention and/or treatment of a subject with the pharmaceutical composition as disclosed above may be typically accomplished by administering (in vivo) an (“therapeutically effective”) amount of said pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the subject may be e.g. any mammal, e.g. a human, a primate, mouse, rat, dog, cat, cow, horse or pig. The term “therapeutically effective” means that the active component of the pharmaceutical composition is of sufficient quantity to ameliorate the disease or disorder strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above.

Accordingly, any peptide as defined above, e.g. at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or at least one chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or at least one JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions, may be utilized in a specific embodiment of the present invention to treat diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above, e.g. by modulating activated JNK signaling pathways.

However, the above defined peptides may be also encoded by nucleic acids, which then may form part of the inventive pharmaceutical compositions, e.g. for use in gene therapy. In this context, gene therapy refers to therapy that is performed by administration of a specific nucleic acid as defined above to a subject, e.g. by way of a pharmaceutical composition as defined above, wherein the nucleic acid(s) exclusively comprise(s) L-amino acids. In this embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic acid produces its encoded peptide(s), which then serve(s) to exert a therapeutic effect by modulating function of the disease or disorder. Any of the methods relating to gene therapy available within the art may be used in the practice of the present invention (see e.g. Goldspiel, et al., 1993. Clin Pharm 12: 488-505).

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid as defined above and as used for gene therapy is part of an expression vector encoding and expressing any one or more of the IB-related peptides as defined above within a suitable host, i.e. an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or a chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions. In a specific embodiment, such an expression vector possesses a promoter that is operably-linked to coding region(s) of a JNK inhibitor sequence. The promoter may be defined as above, e.g. inducible or constitutive, and, optionally, tissue-specific.

In another specific embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule as defined above is used for gene therapy, in which the coding sequences of the nucleic acid molecule (and any other desired sequences thereof) as defined above are flanked by regions that promote homologous recombination at a desired site within the genome, thus providing for intra-chromosomal expression of these nucleic acids (see e.g. Koller and Smithies, 1989. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86: 8932-8935).

Delivery of the nucleic acid as defined above according to the invention into a patient for the purpose of gene therapy, particular in the context of the above mentioned diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above may be either direct (i.e. the patient is directly exposed to the nucleic acid or nucleic acid-containing vector) or indirect (i.e. cells are first transformed with the nucleic acid in vitro, then transplanted into the patient). These two approaches are known, respectively, as in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a nucleic acid is directly administered in vivo, where it is expressed to produce the encoded product. This may be accomplished by any of numerous methods known in the art including, e.g. constructing the nucleic acid as part of an appropriate nucleic acid expression vector and administering the same in a manner such that it becomes intracellular (e.g. by infection using a defective or attenuated retroviral or other viral vector; see U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,286); directly injecting naked DNA; using microparticle bombardment (e.g. a “GeneGun”; Biolistic, DuPont); coating the nucleic acids with lipids; using associated cell-surface receptors/transfecting agents; encapsulating in liposomes, microparticles, or microcapsules; administering it in linkage to a peptide that is known to enter the nucleus; or by administering it in linkage to a ligand predisposed to receptor-mediated endocytosis (see e.g. Wu and Wu, 1987. J Biol Chem 262: 4429-4432), which can be used to “target” cell types that specifically express the receptors of interest, etc.

An additional approach to gene therapy in the practice of the present invention involves transferring a gene (comprising a nucleic acid as defined above) into cells in in vitro tissue culture by such methods as electroporation, lipofection, calcium phosphate-mediated transfection, viral infection, or the like. Generally, the method of transfer includes the concomitant transfer of a selectable marker to the cells. The cells are then placed under selection pressure (e.g. antibiotic resistance) so as to facilitate the isolation of those cells that have taken up, and are expressing, the transferred gene. Those cells are then delivered to a patient. In a specific embodiment, prior to the in vivo administration of the resulting recombinant cell, the nucleic acid is introduced into a cell by any method known within the art including e.g. transfection, electroporation, microinjection, infection with a viral or bacteriophage vector containing the nucleic acid sequences of interest, cell fusion, chromosome-mediated gene transfer, microcell-mediated gene transfer, spheroplast fusion, and similar methods that ensure that the necessary developmental and physiological functions of the recipient cells are not disrupted by the transfer. See e.g. Loeffler and Behr, 1993. Meth Enzymol 217: 599-618. The chosen technique should provide for the stable transfer of the nucleic acid to the cell, such that the nucleic acid is expressible by the cell. Preferably, the transferred nucleic acid is heritable and expressible by the cell progeny.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the resulting recombinant cells may be delivered to a patient by various methods known within the art including, e.g. injection of epithelial cells (e.g. subcutaneously), application of recombinant skin cells as a skin graft onto the patient, and intravenous injection of recombinant blood cells (e.g. hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells). The total amount of cells that are envisioned for use depend upon the desired effect, patient state, and the like, and may be determined by one skilled within the art. Cells into which a nucleic acid can be introduced for purposes of gene therapy encompass any desired, available cell type, and may be xenogeneic, heterogeneic, syngeneic, or autogeneic. Cell types include, but are not limited to, differentiated cells such as epithelial cells, endothelial cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, muscle cells, hepatocytes and blood cells, or various stem or progenitor cells, in particular embryonic heart muscle cells, liver stem cells (International Patent Publication WO 94/08598), neural stem cells (Stemple and Anderson, 1992, Cell 71: 973-985), hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells, e.g. as obtained from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, fetal liver, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the cells utilized for gene therapy are autologous to the patient.

Alternatively and/or additionally, for treating diseases as mentioned herein targeting therapies may be used to deliver the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, and/or nucleic acids as defined above more specifically to certain types of cell, by the use of targeting systems such as (a targeting) antibody or cell specific ligands. Antibodies used for targeting are typically specific for cell surface proteins of cells associated with any of the diseases as defined below. By way of example, these antibodies may be directed to cell surface antibodies such as e.g. B cell-associated surface proteins such as MHC class II DR protein, CD18 (LFA-1 beta chain), CD45RO, CD40 or Bgp95, or cell surface proteins selected from e.g. CD2, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD9, CD10, CD13, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22, CD23, CD24, CD25, CD30, CD33, CD34, CD38, CD39, CD4, CD43, CD45, CD52, CD56, CD68, CD71, CD138, etc. Targeting constructs may be typically prepared by covalently binding the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, and nucleic acids as defined herein according to the invention to an antibody specific for a cell surface protein or by binding to a cell specific ligand. Proteins may e.g. be bound to such an antibody or may be attached thereto by a peptide bond or by chemical coupling, crosslinking, etc. The targeting therapy may then be carried out by administering the targeting construct in a pharmaceutically efficient amount to a patient by any of the administration routes as defined below, e.g. intraperitoneal, nasal, intravenous, oral and patch delivery routes. Preferably, the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, or nucleic acids as defined herein according to the invention, being attached to the targeting antibodies or cell specific ligands as defined above, may be released in vitro or in vivo, e.g. by hydrolysis of the covalent bond, by peptidases or by any other suitable method. Alternatively, if the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, or nucleic acids as defined herein according to the invention are attached to a small cell specific ligand, release of the ligand may not be carried out. If present at the cell surface, the chimeric peptides may enter the cell upon the activity of its trafficking sequence. Targeting may be desirable for a variety of reasons; for example if the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, and nucleic acids as defined herein according to the invention are unacceptably toxic or if it would otherwise require a too high dosage.

Instead of administering the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined herein according to the invention directly, they could be produced in the target cells by expression from an encoding gene introduced into the cells, e.g. from a viral vector to be administered. The viral vector typically encodes the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined herein according to the invention. The vector could be targeted to the specific cells to be treated. Moreover, the vector could contain regulatory elements, which are switched on more or less selectively by the target cells upon defined regulation. This technique represents a variant of the VDEPT technique (virus-directed enzyme prodrug therapy), which utilizes mature proteins instead of their precursor forms.

Alternatively, the JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides as defined herein could be administered in a precursor form by use of an antibody or a virus. These JNK inhibitor sequences and/or chimeric peptides may then be converted into the active form by an activating agent produced in, or targeted to, the cells to be treated. This type of approach is sometimes known as ADEPT (antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy) or VDEPT (virus-directed enzyme prodrug therapy); the former involving targeting the activating agent to the cells by conjugation to a cell-specific antibody, while the latter involves producing the activating agent, e.g. a JNK inhibitor sequence or the chimeric peptide, in a vector by expression from encoding DNA in a viral vector (see for example, EP-A-415731 and WO 90/07936).

According to a further embodiment, the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acid sequences or antibodies to JNK inhibitor sequences or to chimeric peptides as defined herein, e.g. an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 and/or a chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, and/or an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions, may be utilized in (in vitro) assays (e.g. immunoassays) to detect, prognose, diagnose, or monitor various conditions and disease states selected from diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above, or monitor the treatment thereof. The immunoassay may be performed by a method comprising contacting a sample derived from a patient with an antibody to an JNK inhibitor sequence, a chimeric peptide, or a nucleic acid sequence, as defined above, under conditions such that immunospecific-binding may occur, and subsequently detecting or measuring the amount of any immunospecific-binding by the antibody. In a specific embodiment, an antibody specific for an JNK inhibitor sequence, a chimeric peptide or a nucleic acid sequence may be used to analyze a tissue or serum sample from a patient for the presence of JNK or a JNK inhibitor sequence; wherein an aberrant level of JNK is indicative of a diseased condition. The immunoassays that may be utilized include, but are not limited to, competitive and non-competitive assay systems using techniques such as Western Blots, radioimmunoassays (RIA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoprecipitation assays, precipitin reactions, gel diffusion precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion assays, agglutination assays, fluorescent immunoassays, complement-fixation assays, immunoradiometric assays, and protein-A immunoassays, etc. Alternatively, (in vitro) assays may be performed by delivering the JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acid sequences or antibodies to JNK inhibitor sequences or to chimeric peptides, as defined above, to target cells typically selected from e.g. cultured animal cells, human cells or micro-organisms, and to monitor the cell response by biophysical methods typically known to a skilled person. The target cells typically used therein may be cultured cells (in vitro) or in vivo cells, i.e. cells composing the organs or tissues of living animals or humans, or microorganisms found in living animals or humans.

The present invention additionally provides the use of kits for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, particular for the treatment, prevention or monitoring of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above, wherein the kit includes one or more containers containing JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acid sequences and/or antibodies to these JNK inhibitor sequences or to chimeric peptides as defined above, e.g. an anti-JNK inhibitor sequence antibody to an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100, to a chimeric peptide according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32, to an JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 and 13 to 20 and 33-100 comprising a trafficking sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 to 8 and 21 to 22, or to or variants or fragments thereof within the above definitions, or such an anti-JNK inhibitor sequence antibody and, optionally, a labeled binding partner to the antibody. The label incorporated thereby into the antibody may include, but is not limited to, a chemiluminescent, enzymatic, fluorescent, colorimetric or radioactive moiety. In another specific embodiment, kits for diagnostic use in the treatment, prevention or monitoring of diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling as defined above are provided which comprise one or more containers containing nucleic acids that encode, or alternatively, that are the complement to, an JNK inhibitor sequence and/or a chimeric peptide as defined above, optionally, a labeled binding partner to these nucleic acids, are also provided. In an alternative specific embodiment, the kit may be used for the above purposes as a kit, comprising one or more containers, a pair of oligonucleotide primers (e.g. each 6-30 nucleotides in length) that are capable of acting as amplification primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR; see e.g. Innis, et al., 1990. PCR PROTOCOLS, Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif.), ligase chain reaction, cyclic probe reaction, and the like, or other methods known within the art used in context with the nucleic acids as defined above. The kit may, optionally, further comprise a predetermined amount of a purified JNK inhibitor sequence as defined above, a chimeric peptide as defined above, or nucleic acids encoding these, for use as a diagnostic, standard, or control in the assays for the above purposes.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Various publications are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-C are diagrams showing alignments of conserved JBD domain regions in the indicated transcription factors. JNK inhibitor sequences used herein were identified by carrying out sequence alignments. The results of this alignment are exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 1A depicts the region of highest homology between the JBDs of IB1, IB2, c-Jun and ATF2. Panel B depicts the amino acid sequence of the JBDs of L-IB1(s) and L-IB1 for comparative reasons. Fully conserved residues are indicated by asterisks, while residues changed to Ala in the GFP-JBD_(23Mut) vector are indicated by open circles. FIG. 1C shows the amino acid sequences of chimeric proteins that include a JNK inhibitor sequence and a trafficking sequence. In the example shown, the trafficking sequence is derived from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT polypeptide, and the JNK inhibitor sequence is derived from an IB1(s) polypeptide. Human, mouse, and rat sequences are identical in Panels B and C.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing sequences of generic TAT-IB fusion peptides from human, mouse and rat.

FIG. 3 depicts the results of the inhibition of endogeneous JNK-activity in HepG2 cells using fusion peptides according to SEQ ID NOs: 9 and 11 in an one-well approach. As can be seen from FIG. 3, particularly panel d in FIG. 3, D-TAT-IB1(s) according to SEQ ID NO: 11 (here abbreviated as D-JNKI) effectively inhibits JNK activity, even better than L-TAT-IB1(s) according to SEQ ID NO: 9 (here abbreviated as L-JNKI).

FIG. 4 shows the result of the cytotoxicity assay with a chimeric JNK inhibitor sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 11, also termed XG-102 (see Example 12). As can be seen, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) is not cytotoxic for HFFs. HFFs were seeded in 96-well tissue culture plates. Medium containing DMSO (same level as the 5 μM drug), or XG-102 at 1, 2, and 5 μM was added for 24 h. Neutral Red was briefly added, the cells were fixed, then the dye was extracted. Absorbance was measured at 540 nm. No difference was observed between DMSO and 1 μM XG-102.

FIG. 5 depicts the results of the plaque reduction assay carried out for testing activity of a chimeric JNK inhibitor sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 11, also termed XG-102 against Varizella Zoster Virus (VZV) (see Example 12). As can be seen, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) is a potent inhibitor of Varizella Zoster Virus (VZV), particularly at concentrations of 0.5 μM and 1 μM.

FIG. 6 shows the results of the inhibition of Varizella Zoster Virus (VZV) in cultured human fibroblasts using a chimeric JNK inhibitor sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 11, also termed XG-102 (see Example 12). As can be seen, VZV shows a significant sensitivity to XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11). VZV replication was normal in the presence of the negative control (XG-100, the Tat peptide alone). XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) thus prevented VZV replication already at the lowest concentration tested of 0.25 μM.

FIG. 7 depicts the activity of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on cell recruitment in lung using MPO in lung homogenization in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using an animal model of Bleomycin induced acute lung inflammation. As can be seen, MPO was not significantly induced after bleomycin administration. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) had thus only little effect on the MPO levels in the lung.

FIG. 8 depicts the activity of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on TNF levels in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using an animal model of Bleomycin induced acute lung fibrosis. When measuring TNF levels, a trend to reduction of the TNF level in BALF after administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was observed in the BLM model. TNF levels are very low after BLM.

FIG. 9 depicts the activity of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on cell recruitment in bronchoalveolar lavage space in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using an animal model of Bleomycin induced acute lung fibrosis. At 0.1 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) reduces significantly the lymphocyte recruitment and the number of total cells recruited during the inflammatory stage characterised at this point by the lymphocytes recruitment. At 0.1 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) enhances the lymphocytes recruitment or the number of total cell into the bronchoalveolar space (n=5 mice per group; *, p<0.05; **, p<0.001).

FIG. 10 describes the results of the histology in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using an animal model of Bleomycin induced acute lung fibrosis. 3 μm sections of lungs were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Inflammatory cells accumulation, fibrotic areas, loss of lung architecture were observed 10 days after BLM administration. As can be seen, a decrease of these parameters is observed after administration of XG-102 at the low dose (0.001 mg/kg) but not with the high dose (0.1 mg/kg).

FIG. 11 shows the effects of a treatment with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on brain Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ levels determined by ELISA. The Graphs represent the Aβ₁₋₄₀ (left) and Aβ₁₋₄₂ (right) levels determined by ELISA in different brain homogenate fractions with Triton 40 and Triton 42. Data are represented as scattered dot plot with individual values (black) and group mean±SEM. Significant differences are marked with asterisks (* p<0.05; ** p<0.01). Significant group differences were observed only in Triton X-100 fraction for Aβ₁₋₄₂.

FIG. 12 depicts the effects of a treatment with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on CSF Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ levels determined by ELISA. The Graphs represent the Aβ₁₋₄₀ (left) and Aβ₁₋₄₂ (right) levels determined by ELISA in CSF. Data are represented as scattered dot plot with individual values (black) and group mean±SEM. Significant differences are marked with asterisks (* p<0.05; ** p<0.01). Treatment with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in both dosages led to a significant decrease of Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ in CSF.

FIG. 13 shows the treatment effects on the ThioflavinS staining visualized number of plaques in the hAPP Tg mice: The graphs represent the number of ThioflavinS stained plaques per mm² in the cortex and the hippocampus. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment reduced the number of plaques negatively dose-dependent in the hippocampus. Data are represented as means+SEM. N=8 per group. * . . . p<0.05; ** . . . p<0.01.

FIG. 14 depicts the treatment effects on the ThioflavinS visualized plaque area [%] in the hAPP Tg mice: The Graphs represent the plaque area [%] of ThioflavinS positive plaques in the cortex and the hippocampus. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) significantly reduced the area obtained by plaques in the hippocampus. Data are represented as means+SEM. N=8 per group.

FIG. 15 describes the results of the administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) on fasting blood glucose levels (absolute and relative) in the animal model for diabetes type 2. Fasting blood glucose was measured every third day until day 68 and on a regular basis until termination at day 111 in groups A and C. We observed a clear and significant (p<0.001) decrease in the level of fasting blood glucose of the diabetic db/db mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) as compared to vehicle control. The fasting blood glucose levels of the mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) reached a low plateau of approximately 5 mmol/L. This effect was evident after 14 days of dosing and persisted throughout the study, thus during the entire wash-out period from day 21 to day 111. In contrast, we observed no effect of low dose of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (1 mg/kg) during 28 days of dosing.

FIG. 16 describes the results of the administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), 10 mg/kg on body weight in the animal model for diabetes type 2. We observed a clear and significant (p<0.001) prevention of body weight increase in mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) as compared to vehicle control. This effect was evident from day 28 of dosing and remained until the day of termination day 111. In contrast, we observed no effect of low dose of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (1 mg/kg) on body weight during 28 days of dosing.

FIG. 17, 18 describe the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) in the animal model for diabetes type 2 on 24 hour food and water intake, and urine and faeces production as measured in metabolic cages on study day 68 in FIGS. 17(g) and 18 (normalized to g of body weight). We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) on any of the measured parameters as compared to vehicle control though a trend towards a decrease in food intake and urine production was observed.

FIG. 19, 20 describe the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) in the animal model for diabetes type 2 as measured on day 57, 77 and 108 on plasma levels of insulin, MCP-1 and IL-6 in FIG. 19; on plasma levels of tPAI-1, TNF and resistin in FIG. 20; We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) on any of the measured parameters as compared to vehicle control except the levels of plasma resistin, which was significantly higher in XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treated animals at day 77 and 108.

FIG. 21 shows the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) in the animal model for diabetes type 2 on tissue weight of epididymal, inguinal subcutaneous, and retroperitoneal fat pads. We observed a significant decrease of epididymal (p<0.05) and retroperitoneal (p<0.01) fat mass in the mice treated with XG-102 as compared to vehicle control.

FIG. 22 depicts the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) in the animal model for diabetes type 2 on tissue weight of brain, spleen and heart. We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) on these parameters as compared to vehicle control.

FIG. 23 describes the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (10 mg/kg) in the animal model for diabetes type 2 on tissue weight of kidney and liver. We observed a significant decrease of kidney (p<0.05) and liver (p<0.01) mass in the mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) as compared to vehicle control.

FIG. 24 Primary cultured macrophages were incubated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and extensively washed. Presence of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was revealed using a specific antibody against XG-102. XG-102 is strongly incorporated into primary macrophages.

FIG. 25 Mice were treated via three different routes of administration (s.c., i.v., i.p.) with radiolabeled peptides with C¹⁴ (1 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 72 hours after injection and processed for immunoradiography. Sagital sections were exposed and revealed the accumulation XG-102 peptides in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow predominantly (XG-102: SEQ ID NO: 11).

FIG. 26 shows an immunostaining against XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in the liver of rats injected with 1 mg/kg of XG-102 i.v. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after injection. Revelation was done using DAB substrate. This figure shows again the pronounced accumulation of XG-102 in the liver, and especially, in the Kupffer cells (macrophages).

FIG. 27 shows the inhibition of Cytokine & Chemokine Release in two cell lines. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO:11) inhibits cytokine release in both myeloid and lymphoid cell lines, reducing LPS-induced TNFa, IL-6 and MCP-1 release in THP-1 cells (Panels A-C) and PMA & ionomycin-induced IFNg, IL-6 and IL-2 production in Jurkat cells (Panels D-F). The control (XG-101) is less effective due to its lesser stability.

FIG. 28 shows the inhibition of cytokine release in primary cells. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO:11) also inhibits cytokine release in primary lymphoid and myeloid cells, reducing LPS-induced TNFa, IL-6 and Rantes release in murine macrophages (Panels A-C) and PMA & ionomycin-induced TNFa and IFNg production in murine T cells (Panels D-E). Effects occur at non-cytotoxic concentrations of XG-102 (Panel F).

FIG. 29 shows the IB1 cDNA sequence from rat and its predicted amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:102).

FIG. 30 shows the IB1 protein sequence from rat encoded by the exon-intron boundary of the rIB1 gene—splice donor (SEQ ID NO:103).

FIG. 31 shows the IB1 protein sequence from Homo sapiens (SEQ ID NO:104).

FIG. 32 shows the IB1 cDNA sequence from Homo sapiens (SEQ ID NO:105).

EXAMPLES Example 1 Identification of JNK Inhibitor Sequences

Amino acid sequences important for efficient interaction with JNK were identified by sequence alignments between known JNK binding domain JBDs. A sequence comparison between the JBDs of IB1 [SEQ ID NO: 13], IB2 [SEQ ID NO: 14], c-Jun [SEQ ID NO: 15] and ATF2 [SEQ ID NO: 16] defined a weakly conserved 8 amino acid sequence (see FIG. 1A). Since the JBDs of IB1 and IB2 are approximately 100 fold as efficient as c-Jun or ATF2 in binding JNK (Dickens et al. Science 277: 693 (1997), it was reasoned that conserved residues between IB1 and IB2 must be important to confer maximal binding. The comparison between the JBDs of IB1 and IB2 defined two blocks of seven and three amino acids that are highly conserved between the two sequences.

These two blocks are contained within a peptide sequence of 19 amino acids in L-IB1(s) [SEQ ID NO: 1] and are also shown for comparative reasons in a 23 aa peptide sequence derived from IB1 [SEQ ID NO: 17]. These sequences are shown in FIG. 1B, dashes in the L-IB1 sequence indicate a gap in the sequence in order to align the conserved residues with L-IB1(s).

Example 2 Preparation of JNK Inhibitor Fusion Proteins

JNK inhibitor fusion proteins according to SEQ ID NO: 9 were synthesized by covalently linking the C-terminal end of SEQ ID NO: 1 to a N-terminal 10 amino acid long carrier peptide derived from the HIV-TAT4g 57 (Vives et al., J Biol. Chem. 272: 16010 (1997)) according to SEQ ID NO: 5 via a linker consisting of two proline residues. This linker was used to allow for maximal flexibility and prevent unwanted secondary structural changes. The basic constructs were also prepared and designated L-IB1(s) (SEQ ID NO: 1) and L-TAT [SEQ ID NO: 5], respectively.

All-D retro-inverso peptides according to SEQ ID NO: 11 were synthesized accordingly. The basic constructs were also prepared and designated D-IB1(s) [SEQ ID NO: 2] and D-TAT [SEQ ID NO: 6], respectively.

All D and L fusion peptides according to SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, 11 and 12 were produced by classical Fmock synthesis and further analysed by Mass Spectrometry. They were finally purified by HPLC. To determine the effects of the proline linker, two types of TAT peptide were produced one with and one without two prolines. The addition of the two prolines did not appear to modify the entry or the localization of the TAT peptide inside cells. Generic peptides showing the conserved amino acid residues are given in FIG. 2.

Example 3 Inhibition of Cell Death by JBD19

Effects of the 19 aa long JBD sequence of IB1(s) on JNK biological activities were studied. The 19 aa sequence was linked N-terminal to the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP JBD19 construct), and the effect of this construct on pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis induced by IL1 was evaluated. This mode of apoptosis was previously shown to be blocked by transfection with JBD₁₋₂₈₀ whereas specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 or p38 as known in the art did not protect.

Oligonucleotides corresponding to JBD19 and comprising a conserved sequence of 19 amino acids as well as a sequence mutated at the fully conserved regions were synthesized and directionally inserted into the EcoRI and SalI sites of the pEGFP-N1 vector encoding the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) (from Clontech). Insulin producing TC-3 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum, 100 μg/mL Streptomycin, 100 units/mL Penicillin and 2 mM Glutamine. Insulin producing TC-3 cells were transfected with the indicated vectors and IL-1 (10 ng/mL) was added to the cell culture medium. The number of apoptotic cells was counted at 48 hours after the addition of IL-1 using an inverted fluorescence microscope. Apoptotic cells were discriminated from normal cells by the characteristic “blebbing out” of the cytoplasm and were counted after two days.

GFP is Green Fluorescent protein expression vector used as a control; JBD19 is the vector expressing a chimeric GFP linked to the 19 aa sequence derived from the JBD of IB1; JBD19Mut is the same vector as GFP-JBD19, but with a JBD mutated at four conserved residues shown as FIG. 1B; and JBD₁₋₂₈₀ is the GFP vector linked to the entire JBD (aa 1-280). The GFP-JBD19 expressing construct prevented IL-1 induced pancreatic-cell apoptosis as efficiently as the entire JBD₁₋₂₈₀.

As additional controls, sequences mutated at fully conserved IB1(s) residues had greatly decreased ability to prevent apoptosis.

Example 4 Cellular Import of TAT-IB1(s) Peptides

The ability of the L- and D-enantiomeric forms of TAT and TAT-IB1(s) peptides (“TAT-IB peptides”) to enter cells was evaluated. L-TAT, D-TAT, L-TAT-IB1(s), and D-TAT-IB1(s) peptides [SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 9 and 12, respectively] were labeled by N-terminal addition of a glycine residue conjugated to fluorescein. Labeled peptides (1 μM) were added to TC-3 cell cultures, which were maintained as described in Example 3. At predetermined times cells were washed with PBS and fixed for five minutes in ice-cold methanol-acetone (1:1) before being examined under a fluorescence microscope. Fluorescein-labeled BSA (1 μM, 12 moles/mole BSA) was used as a control. Results demonstrated that all the above fluorescein labeled peptides had efficiently and rapidly (less than five minutes) entered cells once added to the culture medium. Conversely, fluorescein labeled bovine serum albumin (1 μM BSA, 12 moles fluorescein/mole BSA) did not enter the cells.

A time course study indicated that the intensity of the fluorescent signal for the L-enantiomeric peptides decreased by 70% following a 24 hours period. Little to no signal was present at 48 hours. In contrast, D-TAT and D-TAT-IB1(s) were extremely stable inside the cells.

Fluorescent signals from these all-D retro-inverso peptides were still very strong 1 week later, and the signal was only slightly diminished at 2 weeks post treatment.

Example 5 In Vitro Inhibition of c-JUN, ATF2 and Elk1 Phosphorylation

The effects of the peptides on JNKs-mediated phosphorylation of their target transcription factors were investigated in vitro. Recombinant and non activated JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 were produced using a TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION rabbit reticulocyte lysate kit (Promega) and used in solid phase kinase assays with c-Jun, ATF2 and Elk1, either alone or fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as substrates. Dose response studies were performed wherein L-TAT or L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides (0-25 μM) were mixed with the recombinant JNK1, JNK2, or JNK3 kinases in reaction buffer (20 mM Tris-acetate, 1 mM EGTA, 10 mM p-nitrophenyl-phosphate (pNPP), 5 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 10 mM p-glycerophosphate, 1 mM dithiothreitol) for 20 minutes. The kinase reactions were then initiated by the addition of 10 mM MgCl₂ and 5 pCi ³³P- -dATP and 1 μg of either GST-Jun (aa 1-89), GST-AFT2 (aa 1-96) or GST-ELK1 (aa 307-428). GST-fusion proteins were purchased from Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.).

Ten μL of glutathione-agarose beads were also added to the mixture. Reaction products were then separated by SDS-PAGE on a denaturing 10% polyacrylamide gel. Gels were dried and subsequently exposed to X-ray films (Kodak). Nearly complete inhibition of c-Jun, ATF2 and Elk1 phosphorylation by JNKs was observed at TAT-IB(s) peptide doses as low as 2.5 μM. However, a marked exception was the absence of TAT-IB(s) inhibition of JNK3 phosphorylation of Elk1. Overall, the TAT-IB1(s) peptide showed superior effects in inhibiting JNK family phosphorylation of their target transcription factors. The ability of D-TAT, D-TAT-IB1(s) and L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides (0-250 μM dosage study) to inhibit GST-Jun (aa 1-73) phosphorylation by recombinant JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3 by were analyzed as described above. Overall, D-TAT-IB1(s) peptide decreased JNK-mediated phosphorylation of c-Jun, but at levels approximately 10-20 fold less efficiently than L-TAT-IB1(s).

Example 6 Inhibition of c-JUN Phosphorylation by Activated JNKS

The effects of the L-TAT or L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides as defined herein on JNKs activated by stressful stimuli were evaluated using GST-Jun to pull down JNKs from UV-light irradiated HeLa cells or IL-1 treated PTC cells. PTC cells were cultured as described above. HeLa cells were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum, 100 μg/mL Streptomycin, 100 units/ml Penicillin and 2 mM Glutamine. One hour prior to being used for cell extract preparation, PTC cells were activated with IL-1 as described above, whereas HeLa cells were activated by UV-light (20 J/m²). Cell extracts were prepared from control, UV-light irradiated HeLa cells and IL-1 treated TC-3 cells by scraping the cell cultures in lysis buffer (20 mM Tris-acetate, 1 mM EGTA, 1% Triton X-100, 10 mM p-nitrophenyl-phosphate, 5 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 10 mMP-glycerophosphate, 1 mM dithiothreitol). Debris was removed by centrifugation for five minutes at 15,000 rpm in an SS-34 Beckman rotor. One-hundred μg extracts were incubated for one hour at room temperature with one μg GST-jun (amino acids 1-89) and 10 μL of glutathione-agarose beads (Sigma). Following four washes with the scraping buffer, the beads were resuspended in the same buffer supplemented with L-TAT or L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides (25 μM) for 20 minutes. Kinase reactions were then initiated by addition of 10 mM MgCl₂ and 5 pCi ³³P-gamma-dATP and incubated for 30 minutes at 30° C.

Reaction products were then separated by SDS-PAGE on a denaturing 10% polyacrylamide gel. Gels were dried and subsequently exposed to X-ray films (Kodak). The TAT-IB(s) peptides efficiently prevented phosphorylation of c-Jun by activated JNKs in these experiments.

Example 7 In Vivo Inhibition of c-JUN Phosphorylation by TAT-IB(s) Peptides as Defined Herein

To determine whether the cell-permeable peptides as defined herein could block JNK signaling in vivo, we used a heterologous GAL4 system. HeLa cells, cultured as described above, were co-transfected with the 5×GAL-LUC reporter vector together with the GAL-Jun expression construct (Stratagene) comprising the activation domain of c-Jun (amino acids 1-89) linked to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. Activation of JNK was achieved by the co-transfection of vectors expressing the directly upstream kinases MKK4 and MKK7 (see Whitmarsh et al., Science 285: 1573 (1999)). Briefly, 3×10⁵ cells were transfected with the plasmids in 3.5-cm dishes using DOTAP (Boehringer Mannheim) following instructions from the manufacturer. For experiments involving GAL-Jun, 20 ng of the plasmid was transfected with 1 μg of the reporter plasmid pFR-Luc (Stratagene) and 0.5 μg of either MKK4 or MKK7 expressing plasmids. Three hours following transfection, cell media were changed and TAT and TAT-IB1(s) peptides (1 μM) were added. The luciferase activities were measured 16 hours later using the “Dual Reporter System” from Promega after normalization to protein content. Addition of TAT-IB1(s) peptide blocked activation of c-Jun following MKK4 and MKK7 mediated activation of JNK. Because HeLa cells express JNK1 and JNK2 isoforms but not JNK3, we transfected cells with JNK3. Again, the TAT-IB(s) peptide inhibited JNK2 mediated activation of c-Jun.

Example 8 Synthesis of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof

Peptides of the invention may be all-D amino acid peptides synthesized in reverse to prevent natural proteolysis (i.e. all-D retro-inverso peptides). An all-D retro-inverso peptide of the invention would provide a peptide with functional properties similar to the native peptide, wherein the side groups of the component amino acids would correspond to the native peptide alignment, but would retain a protease resistant backbone.

Retro-inverso peptides of the invention are analogs synthesized using D-amino acids by attaching the amino acids in a peptide chain such that the sequence of amino acids in the retro-inverso peptide analog is exactly opposite of that in the selected peptide which serves as the model. To illustrate, if the naturally occurring TAT protein (formed of L-amino acids) has the sequence GRKKRRQRRR [SEQ ID NO: 5], the retro-inverso peptide analog of this peptide (formed of D-amino acids) would have the sequence RRRQRRKKRG [SEQ ID NO: 6]. The procedures for synthesizing a chain of D-amino acids to form the retro-inverso peptides are known in the art (see e.g. Jameson et al., Nature, 368, 744-746 (1994); Brady et al., Nature, 368, 692-693 (1994); Guichard et al., J. Med. Chem. 39, 2030-2039 (1996)). Specifically, the retro-peptides according to SEQ ID NOs 2, 4, 6, 8, 11-12, 18, 20, 22 and 25-26, were produced by classical F-mock synthesis and further analyzed by Mass Spectrometry. They were finally purified by HPLC.

Since an inherent problem with native peptides is degradation by natural proteases and inherent immunogenicity, the heterobivalent or heteromultivalent compounds of this invention will be prepared to include the “retro-inverso isomer” of the desired peptide. Protecting the peptide from natural proteolysis should therefore increase the effectiveness of the specific heterobivalent or heteromultivalent compound, both by prolonging half-life and decreasing the extent of the immune response aimed at actively destroying the peptides.

Example 9 Long Term Biological Activity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof

Long term biological activity is predicted for the D-TAT-IB(s) retro-inverso containing peptide heteroconjugate (see chimeric sequences above) when compared to the native L-amino acid analog owing to protection of the D-TAT-IB(s) peptide from degradation by native proteases, as shown in Example 5.

Inhibition of IL-1 induced pancreatic beta-cell death by the D-TAT-IB1(s) peptide was analyzed. TC-3 cells were incubated as described above for 30 minutes with one single addition of the indicated peptides (1, μM), then IL-1 (10 ng/ml) was added.

Apoptotic cells were then counted after two days of incubation with IL-1 by use of Propidium Iodide and Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining. A minimum of 1,000 cells were counted for each experiment. Standard Error of the Means (SEM) are indicated, n=5. The D-TAT-IB1 peptide decreased IL-1 induced apoptosis to a similar extent as L-TAT-IB peptides.

Long term inhibition of IL-1P induced cell-death by the D-TAT-IB1 peptide was also analyzed. TC-3 cells were incubated as above for 30 minutes with one single addition of the indicated peptides (1 μM), then IL-1 (10 ng/ml) was added, followed by addition of the cytokine every two days. Apoptotic cells were then counted after 15 days of incubation with IL-1 by use of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining. Note that one single addition of the TAT-IB1 peptide does not confer long-term protection. A minimum of 1.000 cells were counted for each experiment. As a result, D-TAT-IB1(s), but not L-TAT-IB1(s), was able to confer long term (15 day) protection.

Example 10 Suppression of JNK Transcription Factors by L-TAT-IB1(s) Peptides as Used According to the Present Invention

Gel retardation assays were carried out with an AP-1 doubled labeled probe (5′-CGC TTG ATG AGT CAG CCG GAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 101). HeLa cell nuclear extracts that were treated or not for one hour with 5 ng/mITNF-α, as indicated. TAT and L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides as used according to the present invention were added 30 minutes before TNF-alpha. Only the part of the gel with the specific AP-1 DNA complex (as demonstrated by competition experiments with non-labeled specific and non-specific competitors) is shown.

L-TAT-IB1(s) peptides as used according to the present invention decrease the formation of the AP-1 DNA binding complex in the presence of TNF-alpha.

Example 11 Inhibition of Endogenous JNK Activity in HepG2 Cells Using an all-in One Well Approach (See FIG. 3)

HepG2 cells were seeded at 3,000 cells/well the day prior the experiment. Then, increasing concentrations of either interleukin-1 [IL-1 beta ν)] or tumor necrosis factor [TNFalpha (•)] (a) were added to activate JNK for 30 minutes. Cells were lysed in 20 mM Hepes, 0.5% Tween pH 7.4 and processed for AlphaScreen JNK. (b) Z′ for the JNK activity induced by 10 ng/ml IL-1 and measured in 384 wells/plate (n=96). (c) Inhibition of endogenous IL-1 beta-induced JNK activity with chemical JNK inhibitors [staurosporin (°) and SP600125 (•)]. (d) Effect of peptidic inhibitors L-TAT-IB1(s) according to SEQ ID NO: 9 [here abbreviated as L-JNKi (ν)) and D-TAT-IB1(s) according to SEQ ID NO: 11 (here abbreviated as D-JNKi (♦)) and JBDs (•) (corresponds to L-JNKI without the TAT sequence)] on IL-1 dependent JNK activity. All panels are representative of three independent experiments (n=3).

Methods: Alphascreen Kinase Assay

Principle: AlphaScreen is a non-radioactive bead-based technology used to study biomolecular interactions in a microplate format. The acronym ALPHA stands for Amplified Luminescence Proximity Homogenous Assay. It involves a biological interaction that brings a “donor” and an “acceptor” beads in close proximity, then a cascade of chemical reactions acts to produce an amplified signal. Upon laser excitation at 680 nm, a photosensitizer (phthalocyanine) in the “donor” bead converts ambient oxygen to an excited singlet state. Within its 4 μsec half-life, the singlet oxygen molecule can diffuse up to approximately 200 nm in solution and if an acceptor bead is within that proximity, the singlet oxygen reacts with a thioxene derivative in the “acceptor” bead, generating chemiluminescence at 370 nm that further activates fluorophores contained in the same “acceptor” bead. The excited fluorophores subsequently emit light at 520-620 nm. In the absence of an acceptor bead, singlet oxygen falls to ground state and no signal is produced.

Kinase reagents (B-GST-cJun, anti P-cJun antibody and active JNK3) were first diluted in kinase buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM DTT, 100 μM Na₃VO₄, 0.01% Tween-20) and added to wells (15 μl). Reactions were then incubated in presence of 10 μM of ATP for 1 h at 23° C. Detection was performed by an addition of 10 μl of beads mix (Protein A acceptor 20 μg/ml and Streptavidin donor 20 μg/ml), diluted in detection buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 20 mM NaCl, 80 mM EDTA, 0.3% BSA), followed by an another one-hour incubation at 23° C. in the dark. For measurement of JNK endogenous activity, kinase assays were performed as described above except active JNK3 was replaced by cells lysates and reaction kinase components were added after the cells lysis. B-GST-cjun and P-cJun antibody were used at the same concentrations whereas ATP was used at 50 μM instead of 10 μM. AlphaScreen signal was analyzed directly on the Fusion or En Vision apparatus.

Example 12 Determining the Activity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof in the Treatment of Viral Infections—Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

Determination of the activity of IB(s) peptides and all-D retro-inverso IB(s) peptides as used according to the present invention was tested using the JNK inhibitor peptide XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) as a test compound in cultured host cells (human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs)). Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that require a functional cell environment to complete their lifecycle; dying cells do not support virus replication. Additionally, inhibitors of cell functions may be toxic to cells, which could non-specifically prevent virus growth. Thus, sick or dying host cells could exhibit nonspecifically reduced virus titers. Since this may falsify the results, a cytotoxicity assay was carried out first, determining the tolerance of the cultured cells to the test compound. Subsequently, a plaque reduction assay was carried out and then activity of the JNK inhibitor peptide XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was tested with respect to Viral Zoster Virus (VZV) in infected cells.

A) Determination of the Cytotoxicity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides:

For determination of toxicity, cultured cells (human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs)) were seeded in 96-well tissue culture plates. Medium containing DMSO (same level as 5 μM XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11)), or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was added at several concentrations of (1, 2, and 5 μM) for 24 h. Subsequently, a Neutral Red assay was carried out. Neutral Red colorimetric assays for cytotoxicity assays (in sets of 6 replicates) were used to set the maximum dose for subsequent efficacy assays (as performed in Taylor et al, 2004, J. Virology, 78:2853-2862). Live cells absorb Neutral Red and, accordingly, the level of absorbance is a quantitative measure of cell viability and number. Neutral Red uptake is directly proportional to the number of cells and also reflects normal endocytosis. Therefore, a brief pulse of Neutral Red was added to the medium at 0 or 24 hours. After fixation and extraction, dye was added and the amount of dye in each sample was measured in an ELISA plate reader at 540 nm (see FIG. 4). No cytotoxicity was observed with any amount of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), and cell growth was not restricted compared to the DMSO diluent alone (control). Thus the standard concentration of 1 μM had no evident effects on HFF cells, and higher doses would also be well tolerated.

B) Plaque Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Antiviral Effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) Against Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

To determine whether XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) had a dose-dependent antiviral effect, a range of concentrations surrounding the standard 1 μM dose were tested. In this plaque reduction assay, confluent human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) in 24-well plates were inoculated with VZV-infected HFFs at a ratio of 1:100 (multiplicity of infection MOI=0.01) and adsorbed to the cells for 2 hours. The excess virus was washed out, and medium containing 0 (DMSO only), 0.5, 1, or 2 μM XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was added. One sample was taken at this time to measure the initial level of infection; wherein each well contained ˜150 pfu. After 24 hours, duplicate wells were trypsinized, and then the cell suspensions were titered on MeWo cell monolayers in triplicate to determine the number of VZV-infected cells in each sample. During unrestricted growth, VZV usually increases by 10-fold over 1 day because it propagates by cell-cell spread. This is what was observed for the cultures treated with DMSO alone, which yielded 1200±430 pfu (FIG. 5). The results of the determination were as follows:

XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) Spread of VZV (pfu) ± SD 0 μM (DMSO) 1233 ± 432 0.5 μM 260 ± 53 1.0 μM 212 ± 48 2.0 μM 312 ± 79

XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) had thus a strong antiviral effect at all the concentrations tested, with VZV yields near 200-300 pfu. Using the graph of these results to interpolate the EC₅₀, it was calculated that approximately 0.3 μM XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) caused VZV yield to decrease by 50%.

From the cytotoxicity and efficacy data, a preliminary Selective Index (Tox/EC₅₀) of 5.0 μM/0.3 μM was calculated, which gives a value of ˜17, wherein the true SI is considered even higher, since the concentration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was not yet approached that would kill 50% of the cells.

C) Measurement of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Replication in Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFFs) with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11)

To determine the minimum effective dose of XG-102 that prevents varicella-zoster virus (VZV) replication in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) confluent monolayers of HFFs were inoculated with VZV-BAC-Luc strain for 2 h, then treated for 24 h with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 μM or with the negative control (XG-100, 1.0 μM). Virus yield was measured by luciferase assay. Samples were in triplicate and the average luminescence is shown; error bars represent the standard deviation of the mean.

As a result, VZV replication was normal in the presence of the negative control (the Tat peptide alone). XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) prevented VZV replication at the lowest concentration tested, 0.25 μM. The minimum effective dose could not be determined in this experiment. While it is not yet known why VZV depends on JNK activity during infection, there appears to be a critical requirement for this enzyme. A low concentration (0.25 μM) of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) is thus sufficient to completely block VZV spread in culture. One possible explanation for this effect is that this amount of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) binds to all the JNK molecules in the infected cells. Alternatively, 0.25 μM XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) may reduce JNK activity below a threshold level that is optimal for VZV replication. The results of this experiment are summarized in FIG. 6.

Example 13 Determining the Activity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In order to determine the activity of the exemplary all-D retro-inverso IB(s) peptide XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) is used in an animal model of Bleomycin induced acute lung inflammation and fibrosis. The protocol of bleomycin induced inflammation and fibrosis has been described before in the literature. The aim of the Experiment was to investigate the effect of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) by subcutaneous (s.c.) route on neutrophil recruitment in broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) and lung in bleomycin induced inflammation and fibrosis:

-   -   at 1 day after a single bleomycin administration (10 mg/kg)     -   and at day 10 with the development of fibrosis         1) Method and Experimental Approach

The test compound XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) at two doses and vehicle control were given s.c. with a single intranasal administration of bleomycin and mice were analyzed after 1 and 10 days. The animals used in the model were 10 C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks old) per group. The experimental groups included vehicle, 0.001 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and 0.1 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), and the treatment consisted of repeated sub-cutaneous administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), prior to bleomycin administration then every 3 days. Acute lung inflammation at 24 h was monitored by BAL lavage, cytology, cell counts, and lung myeloperoxidase activity. The effect of the compound was compared with vehicle controls. Lung fibrosis was assessed histologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining at day 10 after the single dose of bleomycin.

1.1) Bleomycin Administration

Bleomycin sulfate in saline (10 mg/kg body weight) from Belton Laboratories (Montrouge, France) or saline were given through the airways by nasal instillation in a volume of 40 μL under light ketamine-xylasine anesthesia. The groups for Bleomycin administration for both bleomycin induced inflammation and fibrosis included: Vehicle, 0.001 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and 0.1 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11). The route for bleomycin induced inflammation was subcutaneous (s.c.) route, and administration occurred as a single dose. The route for bleomycin induced fibrosis was subcutaneous (s.c.) route, and administration occurred 3 times in 10 days.

1.2) Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF)

After incision of the trachea, a plastic cannula was inserted and airspaces were washed using 0.3 ml of PBS solution, heated to 37° C. The samples collected were dispatched in 2 fractions: the first one (1 ml corresponding to the 2 first lavages) was used for mediator measurement and the second one for the cell determination (4 ml). The first fraction was centrifuged (600 g for 10 min) and supernatant was fractionated and kept at −80° C. until mediator determination. The cell pellet was then resuspended in 0.4 ml sterile NaCl, 0.9%, and pooled with the second fraction and was used for cell counts.

1.3) Lung Homogenization

After BAL the whole lung was removed and placed inside a microtube (Lysing matrix D, Q Bio Gene, Illkrich, France) with 1 ml of PBS, total lung tissue extract was prepared using a Fastprep® system (FP120, Q Bio Gene, Illkrich, France), the extract was then centrifuged and the supernatant stored at −80° C. before mediator measurement and collagen assay with Sircol Collagen Assay (France Biochem Division, France).

1.4) Cell Count and Determination

Total cell count was determined in BAL fluid using a Malassez hemocytometer. Differential cell counts were performed on cytospin preparations (Cytospin 3, Thermo Shandon) after staining with MGG Diff-quick (Dade Behring AG). Differential cell counts were made on 200 cells using standard morphological criteria.

1.5) TNF Measurement

TNF level in BALF was determined using ELISA assay kits (Mouse DuoSet, R&D system, Minneapolis, USA) according to manufacturer's instructions. Results are reported as pg/ml.

1.6) MPO-Measurement

MPO-levels were measured upon administration of XG-102. MPO was not significantly induced after bleomycin in this experiment. Furthermore, XG-102 had no effect on MPO levels in the lung.

1.7) Histology

After BAL and lung perfusion, the large lobe was fixed in 4% buffered formaldehyde for standard microscopic analysis. 3-m sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).

2.) Results

A) First Study: Bleomycin (BIM) Induced Acute Lung Inflammation

Groups: Vehicle, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) 0.001 mg/kg and XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) 0.1 mg/kg

Route: s.c. route, single dose

a) Cell Recruitment in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Space

At 0.1 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) reduces significantly the neutrophil recruitment and the number of total cells recruited during the inflammatory stage. At 0.001 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) has no effect on neutrophil recruitment or other cell types into the bronchoalveolar space (one representative experiment with n=5 mice per group; *, p<0.05; **, p<0.001).

b) Cell Recruitment in Lung Using MPO in Lung Homogenization

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays an important role in host defense systems. This 140 kDa protein, composed of two heavy chains of 53 kDa and two light chains of 15 kDa, was first discovered in the 1960s. The release of MPO from the granules of neutrophils and monocytes in response to the activation of leukocytes allows the conversion of hydrogen peroxide and chloride ions into hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a strong oxidizing agent. Although MPO serves an important purpose in the defense system, various studies show that MPO also plays a role in several inflammatory conditions, wherein an elevated MPO level e.g. has been linked to coronary artery diseases. Furthermore, tissue MPO levels reflect the state of activation of neutrophils and gives an indication on neutrophil tissue infiltration.

In the present experiment, MPO was not significantly induced after bleomycin administration. XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) had thus no effect on the MPO levels in the lung (see FIG. 7).

c) TNF Measurement

When measuring TNF levels, a trend to reduction of the TNF level in BALF after administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was observed, although TNF levels were very low after BLM administration (see FIG. 8).

d) Conclusion

It could be observed that at 0.1 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) decreases the neutrophil and total cell recruitment into the bronchoalveolar space and induces a trend to decrease the TNF level. Moreover, the study of the histological slides showed a decrease of the inflammatory cell accumulation in the peribronchial space. It can thus be concluded that XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) reduces the Bleomycin-induced inflammation.

According to the acquired results, the experiment was additionally performed in a fibrosis model.

B) Second Study: Bleomycin (BLM) Induced Lung Fibrosis

Groups: Vehicle, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) 0.001 mg/kg and XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) 0.1 mg/kg

Route: s.c. route, 3 times in 10 days

a) Cell Recruitment in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Space

At 0.001 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) reduced significantly the lymphocyte recruitment and the number of total cells recruited during the inflammatory stage characterised at this point by the lymphocytes recruitment. At 0.1 mg/kg, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) had no effect (n=5 mice per group; *, p<0.05; **, p<0.001) (see FIG. 9).

a) Histology

3 μm sections of lungs were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Inflammatory cells accumulation, fibrotic areas, loss of lung architecture were observed 10 days after BLM administration. A decrease of these parameters was observed after administration of XG-102 at the low dose (0.001 mg/kg) but not with the high dose (0.1 mg/kg) (see FIG. 10).

b) Conclusion:

It can be concluded that XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) administered 3 times at the low dose of 0.001 mg/kg decreases the Bleomycin-induced later inflammation, in particular the lymphocytes recruitment observed at this time. Moreover, the test substance administered 3 times at this dose attenuates the Bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Less extended fibrotic areas with a more conserved lung structure could be observed.

Example 14 Determining the Activity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

In order to determine the activity of the exemplary all-D retro-inverso IB(s) peptide XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in Alzheimer's disease, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was evaluated in the hAPP-transgenic mice model overexpressing APP751 with London and Swedish mutations using the behavioral Morris Water Maze test as well as immunohistological tests measuring plaque load and ELISA tests measuring β-amyloid₁₋₄₀ and β-amyloid₁₋₄₂ levels in the brain of mice.

a) Methods

i) Introduction

The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the test substance (XG-102, SEQ ID NO: 11) on behavioral, biochemical and histological markers using 5 months (±2 weeks) old female hAPP Tg mice. Therefore, mice were treated every two or three weeks up to 4 months and in the end of the treatment period behavior was evaluated in the Morris Water Maze. At sacrifice brain, CSF and blood were collected. Aβ40 and Aβ2 levels were determined in four different brain homogenate fractions as well as in CSF of Tg mice. Plaque load was quantified in the cortex and the hippocampus of 8 Tg animals per treatment group.

ii) Animals

Female Tg mice with a C57BL/6xDBA background and an age of 5 months (±2 week) were randomly assigned to treatment groups 1 to 3 (n=12). Animals were subjected to administration of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in two different concentrations beginning at 5 months of age and continued for up to 4 months with subcutaneous (s.c.) applications every second or third week. All animals which were used for the present study had dark eyes and were likely to perceive the landmarks outside the MWM pool. However, it had to be excluded that seeing abilities of an animal were poor, which was controlled in the visible platform training, the so called pretest, before treatment start for all animals including reserves enclosed to the study. In case a seeing handicap for a specific animal would have been affirmed, the mouse would have been excluded from the study.

iii) Animal Identification and Housing

Mice were individually identified by ear markings. They were housed in individual ventilated cages (IVCs) on standardized rodent bedding supplied by Rettenmaier®. Each cage contained a maximum of five mice. Mice were kept according to the JSW Standard Operating Procedures (SOP GEN011) written on the basis of international standards. Each cage was identified by a colored card indicating the study number, sex, the individual registration numbers (IRN) of the animals, date of birth, as well as the screening date and the treatment group allocation. The temperature during the study was maintained at approximately 24° C. and the relative humidity was maintained at approximately 40-70%. Animals were housed under a constant light-cycle (12 hours light/dark). Normal tap water was available to the animals ad libitum.

iv) Treatment

Forty female hAPP transgenic mice were treated with either 0.1 mg/kg b.w./every two weeks or 10 mg/kg b.w./every three weeks of the test substance XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in two different dosages (n=12/group) or treated with the vehicle (n=12) s.c. once every three weeks over four months.

v) Morris Water Maze (MWM)

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) task was conducted in a black circular pool of a diameter of 100 cm. Tap water was filled in with a temperature of 22±1° C. and the pool was virtually divided into four sectors. A transparent platform (8 cm diameter) was placed about 0.5 cm beneath the water surface. During the whole test session, except the pretest, the platform was located in the southwest quadrant of the pool. One day before the 4 days lasting training session animals had to perform a so called “pre-test” (two 60 sec lasting trials) to ensure that the seeing abilities of each animal were normal. Only animals that fulfilled this task were enclosed to the MWM testing. In the MWM task each mouse had to perform three trials on four consecutive days. A single trial lasted for a maximum of maximum one minute. During this time, the mouse had the chance to find the hidden, diaphanous target. If the animal could not find a “way” out of the water, the investigator guided to or placed the mouse on the platform. After each trial mice were allowed to rest on the platform for 10-15 sec. During this time, the mice had the possibility to orientate in the surrounding. Investigations took place under dimmed light conditions, to prevent the tracking system from negative influences (Kaminski; PCS, Biomedical Research Systems). On the walls surrounding the pool, posters with black, bold geometric symbols (e.g. a circle and a square) were fixed which the mice could use the symbols as landmarks for their orientation. One swimming group per trial consisted of five to six mice, so that an intertrial time of about five to ten minutes was ensured. For the quantification of escape latency (the time [second]—the mouse needed to find the hidden platform and therefore to escape from the water), of pathway (the length of the trajectory [meter] to reach the target) and of the abidance in the goal quadrant a computerized tracking system was used. The computer was connected to a camera placed above the centre of the pool. The camera detected the signal of the light emitting diode (LED), which was fixed with a little hairgrip on the mouse's tail. One hour after the last trial on day 4 the mice had to fulfill a so-called probe trial. At this time, the platform was removed from the pool and during the one-minute probe trial; the experimenter counted the number of crossings over the former target position. Additionally the abidance in this quadrant as well as the three other quadrants was calculated. Through out this trial a mouse could not get any, howsoever-natured, clue from the platform.

vi) Tissue Sampling

At the end of the treatment period, and following all behavioral testing, all remaining mice (n=28) were sacrificed. Therefore, all mice were sedated by standard inhalation anesthesia (Isofluran, Baxter) as described in SOP MET030. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained by blunt dissection and exposure of the foramen magnum. Upon exposure, a Pasteur pipette was inserted to the approximate depth of 0.3-1 mm into the foramen magnum. CSF was collected by suctioning and capillary action until flow fully ceases. Two aliquots of each sample were immediately frozen and kept at −80° C. until ready for further analysis with ELISA technique. After CSF sampling, each mouse was placed in dorsal recumbence, thorax was opened and a 26-gauge needle attached to a 1 cc syringe was inserted into the right cardiac ventricular chamber. Light suction was applied to the needle and blood was collected into EDTA and consequently used to obtain plasma. To get plasma, blood samples from each mouse were spun at 1,750 rpm (700 g) for 10 minutes in a centrifuge (GS-6R Beckman) using a rotor with swing buckets (GH-3.8 Beckman). Plasma was frozen and stored at −20° C. until further analysis. After blood sampling transgenic mice were intracardially perfused with 0.9% sodium chloride. Brains were rapidly removed the cerebellum was cut off. The right hemispheres of all mice were immersion fixed in freshly produced 4% Paraformaldehyde/PBS (pH 7.4) for one hour at room temperature. Thereafter brains were transferred to a 15% sucrose PBS solution for 24 hours to ensure cryoprotection. On the next day brains were frozen in isopentane and stored at −80° C. until used for histological investigations (SOP MET042). The left hemispheres were weighed and frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. for biochemical analysis.

vii) Determination of Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂

In four different brain homogenate fractions of each Tg mouse as well as in CSF samples the Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ levels were evaluated with ELISA technique. Highly sensitive Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ ELISA test kits were purchased from The Genetics Company™, Switzerland (SOP MET058). CSF was prepared as described above. For the brain homogenates frozen hemispheres were homogenized in TRIS buffered saline (TBS)—buffer (5 ml) containing protease inhibitor cocktail. 1.25 ml of this initial brain TBS homogenate was stored at −80° C., 1.25 ml have been further investigated. The remaining brain homogenate (2.5 ml) was centrifuged and the resulting supernatant (=TBS fraction) was aliquoted and kept at −20° C. until ELISA determination. The pellet was suspended in Triton X-100 (2.5 ml), centrifuged and the supernatant (=Triton X-100 fraction) was aliquoted and kept at −20° C. These steps were repeated with SDS (2.5 ml). The pellet out of the SDS fraction was suspended in 70% formic acid (0.5 ml) prior to subsequent centrifugation. The obtained supernatant was neutralized with 1 M TRIS (9.5 ml) aliquoted and kept at −20° C. (=FA fraction). Samples of the four brain homogenate fraction (TBS, Triton X-100, SDS, and FA) were used for Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ determination with ELISA technique. ELISA test kits were purchased from The Genetics Company™, Switzerland (SOP MET062). It could be assumed that TBS and Triton X-100 solubilize monomeric to oligomeric structures. Polymers like protofibrils and water insoluble fibrils could be dissolved in SDS and FA. In this regard the investigation of all four fractions also provides insight in A polymerization status.

viii) Evaluation of Brain Morphology

Brain tissues of all Tg animals investigated were handled in exactly the same way to avoid bias due to variation of this procedure. From brain halves of 24 Tg mice (8 of each group) 20 cryo-sections per layer (altogether 5 layers), each 10 μm thick (Leica CM 3050S) were sagittally cut and 5 (one from each layer) were processed and evaluated for quantification of plaque load. The five sagittal layers corresponded with the FIGS. 104 to 105, 107 to 108, 111 to 112, 115 to 116 and 118 to 119 according to the morphology atlas “The Mouse Brain” from Paxinos and Franklin (2nd edition). The first layer was specified by the requirement to include the whole hippocampus with it's regions CA1, CA2, CA3, GDlb and GDmb. Immunoreactivity was quantitatively evaluated in the hippocampus and in the cortex using the monoclonal human Aβ-specific antibody 6E10 (Signet) as well as ThioflavinS staining. Remaining brain hemispheres or tissue not used were saved and stored at JSW CNS until the end of the project.

b) Evaluation

i) Behavior

In the Morris Water Maze trials length of swimming path, escape latencies, swimming speed and in the probe trial crossings over the former platform position and the time spent in each quadrant of the pool were measured for each Tg animal with a special computer software.

ii) Biochemical Evaluation

From all Tg mice CSF samples as well as samples from the brain preparations were analyzed with commercially available Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ ELISAs. Measurements of adequate standards were performed concurrently. Samples from brain preparations were analyzed in duplicates. Due to the small sample amount CSF samples were analyzed in a single measurement only.

iii) Histology

i1) Measurement of Amyloid Depositions and Plaque Load

For 6E10 immunohistochemistry the following evaluation procedure was used:

aa) Contrasting the image for visualization of slice borders without applying the contrast on the image.

bb) Interactive drawing of the cortical outlines and the following measurement of the cortical area (=region area).

cc) Interactive drawing of the area of interest (AOI), in which stained objects are detected over a certain intensity based threshold level (the same for each image) and above a size of 8 μm².

dd) Measurement of the area of each object, the sum of stained area in the AOI as well as the number of objects after a smooth contrasting to enhance signal/noise ratio (the same for each image).

ee) Repetition of aa)-dd) for the hippocampus.

ff) Calculation of the mean plaque size (=“sum area of plaques/number of plaques”), the relative plaque number and area (=“number of plaques/region area” and “sum area of plaques/region area*100”).

gg) Automated data export into an Excel spread sheet, including the parameters “image title, region area, number of plaques, sum of plaque area, relative plaque number, relative plaque area and mean plaque size. A field for remarks was used to record image quality and exclusion criteria, respectively. Exclusion criteria were missing parts of the slice, many wrinkles, dominant flaws or staining inconsistencies (e.g. due to bulges, which can impede the full reaction of the blocking reagent).

hh) Closing the image without saving (to keep raw data raw).

c) Results

i) General Observations

In total 40 female hAPP Tg mice were enclosed to study. From these mice 12 animals died due to unknown reason before the treatment period was finished.

ii) Behavioral Results

Spatial learning in the MWM remained widely uninfluenced by XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment. 0.1 mg/kg treated mice showed a tendency to have worse learning performance between day 1 and day 4. A two-way ANOVA of the mean performance on day 1 and 4 revealed highly significant learning for all groups (p<0.001), but also a significant influence of factor treatment (p=0.045). However, Bonferroni's post tests did not reach significance.

iii) Biochemical Results

aa) Aβ Levels in the Brain Homogenate Fractions

A treatment with the test compound XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) did not affect brain homogenate Aβ₁₋₄₀ levels (see FIG. 11). Group differences in Aβ₁₋₄₂ levels appeared in Triton X-100 fraction, only. There, animals treated with the low dose of the test compound XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (0.1 mg/kg) featured a significant reduction compared to the vehicle group (p<0.05) as well as compared to the high dose group (p<0.01).

bb) CSF Aβ Levels

After treatment with the test substance XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ levels were significantly decreased in CSF compared to vehicle group. For both, Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ p-values were p<0.01 for the high dosage (10 mg/kg) and <0.05 for the lose dosage of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (see FIG. 12).

iv) Results of Brain Histology and Immunohistochemistry

aa) Amyloid Depositions and Plaque Load

Plaque load was quantified with two different methods. On the one hand an IHC staining with 6E10 primary directed against AA1-17 of the human amyloid peptide was performed, on the other hand a ThioflavinS staining marking beta-sheet structures and cores of mature, neuritic plaques was carried out. First of all, measured region areas, cortex and hippocampus, were highly constant throughout all groups, indicating that problems in the cutting and IHC procedures can be excluded and to a certain degree also a treatment induced atrophy (changes of >5% would be detectable with this method). 6E10 and ThioflavinS quantifications revealed a selective reduction of beta-sheet structures in the center of the plaques after XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment, whereas human amyloid remained uninfluenced from treatment or slightly increased. In detail cortical 6E10 IR plaque load was increased versus vehicle in the 10 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treated mice, however, significance level was reached for the number of hippocampal plaques. FIGS. 13 and 14 show, in contrast to 6E10 IHC, that XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment led to a negatively dose dependent reduction of the number of hippocampal ThioflavinS positive plaques, as well as area percentage (number of plaques: p<0.05 for 10 mg/kg, p<0.01 for 0.1 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11)). 0.1 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment also reduced mean plaque size, however this effect did not reach significance level in the ANOVA (unpaired, two-tailed T-test: p=0.074) These effects were not given for cortical plaques, a circumstance which is most probably due to the later onset of plaque pathology in the hippocampus than in the cortex. Treatment start at five months of age exactly hits the time point of plaque deposition in the hippocampus, whereas cortical plaques start to become visible at the used magnification for quantification at the age of three months. Qualitatively the proportion of 6E10 to ThioflavinS stained plaques increase and the beta-sheet plaque cores, as seen in doubly labeled slices, become smaller in size. Summarized, these data support that XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment acts against beta-sheet formation in the early phase of plaque deposition and beta sheet formation in plaque cores, respectively.

d) Summary of Effects and Conclusions

-   -   Spatial navigation measured in the Morris water maze remained         widely uninfluenced from treatment. 0.1 mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID         NO: 11) treatment resulted in a slightly poorer learning         performance between the first and the last training day.     -   Except a decrease in the Triton X-100 fraction in the 0.1 mg/kg         XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) group Aβ₁₋₄₀ and Aβ₁₋₄₂ brain levels         stayed stable.     -   A decrease of Aβ levels was detectable in CSF for both dosages         and fragments.     -   XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment led to a tendentious increase         of human amyloid beta in the higher dosed group in the 6E10         quantifications, which is in compliance with data obtained in Aβ         ELISA.     -   In contrast to that hippocampal beta-sheet load detected by         ThioflavinS staining was dose dependently reduced after XG-102         (SEQ ID NO: 11) treatment, to a higher degree at lower dose 0.1         mg/kg XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), whereas cortical plaque load         remained unchanged. In accordance with the age-dependent onset         of plaque deposition in the hippocampus at treatment start this         hints at an early action on beta-sheet formation in the early         phase of plaque deposition.

Example 15 Determining the Activity of all-D Retro-Inverso IB(s) Peptides and Variants Thereof in the Treatment of Diabetes Type 2

Example 15 is designed to determine the activity of IB(s) peptides and all-D retro-inverso IB(s) peptides and variants thereof in the treatment of Diabetes Type 2, particularly to determine the effect of chronic treatment with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) in the db/db mice model of type 2 diabetes by evaluating fasting blood glucose levels every third day (28 days)

a) Materials and Methods

i) Animals

A total of twenty (20) male db/db mice (8 weeks old) were obtained from Charles River (Germany). Upon arrival, animals were group housed (n=6-7/group) and offered regular rodent chow (Altromin standard #1324 chow; C. Petersen, Ringsted, Denmark) and water ad libitum unless otherwise stated.

The mice were housed under a 12:12 L/D cycle (lights on at 4:00 and lights off at 16:00) and in temperature and humidity controlled rooms.

ii) Groups and Randomization

On day −4, mice were randomized according to blood glucose level (fasted; blood glucose measured on Biosen S line analyzer (EKF diagnostic, Germany) to participate in one of the following drug treatment groups (n=6):

-   -   1) Vehicle control, S.C. (physiological saline)     -   2) XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11); 1 mg/kg; s.c.     -   3) XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11); 10 mg/kg; s.c

All doses listed were calculated for the free-base. Drug purity: 95.28%, peptide content: 78.0%. All compounds were administered sub-cutaneously (s.c.) in a volume of 3 ml/kg. The formulation instructions for vehicle control and XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) were as follows:

First, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) was dissolved in the vehicle. The formulations (concentrations of 0.33 and 3.3 mg/ml, corresponding to the doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg, respectively) were prepared according to the procedure detailed below. Concentrations were calculated and expressed taking into account test items purity and peptide content (multiplier coefficient was 1.346).

-   -   Preparation of a stock solution: the freeze-dried test compound         XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) is thawed for one hour minimum and         prepared as a stock solution in the vehicle at 1 mM         (corresponding to 3.823 mg/mL). Aliquots are prepared for each         treatment day and stored at approximately −80° C. Dilutions of         this stock solution to the required concentrations are performed         on each treatment day;     -   Storage of the stock solution: at approximately −80° C.;     -   Storage of the diluted preparations: at room temperature for 24         hours maximum.

Prior to solubilisation, the powder was stored at −20° C. The stability of the stock solution is 3 months at approximately −80° C.; the stability of the diluted formulations for animal dosing is 24 hours at room temperature. Unused diluted material could be stored for up to 7 days if kept at 4-8° C.

c) Experimental Procedure

Following 8 days of acclimatization the mice were treated daily at 08.00 AM for 21 days by SC dosing 8 hours prior to lights out at 04.00 PM according to the outline groups. Then, on study day 21 dosing of the highest concentration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) was stopped, whereas daily dosing of vehicle control and XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (1 mg/kg) were continued until day study 28. From day 28 until termination at day 111 the vehicle and XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) treated mice were observed in a wash-out period (no dosing), whereas the mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (1 mg/kg) was terminated after 28 days of treatment

i) Blood Glucose

Blood glucose was measured from 7 hour fasted animals 6 hours post dosing by collection of 10 μl blood samples from the tail-vein in hematocrite tubes and subsequent analysis on a Biosen s-line analyzer (EKF-diagnostic; Germany).

ii) Metabolic Cages

Groups 1+3: Mice were placed in metabolic cages for the recording of 24-hour food and water intake as well as 24-hour urine and faeces production. Mice were stratified into two sub-teams of n=6-7 and subsequently the metabolic characterisation were performed on study days 71-72.

iii) Adipokine Panel

Groups 1+3: On three occasions (study days 57, 66 and 108) blood was collected from the tail vein using EDTA coated hematocrite tubes (100 μl). Following centrifugation of blood the plasma was collected and stored at −20° C. until measurement. Then, the following panel of adipokines/cytokines was determined using Luminex based 7-plex: leptin, resistin, MCP-1, PAI-1, TNF, insulin and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

iv) Termination

Groups 1+3 (day 111): The following organs were excised and weighed: inguinal subcutaneous fat, epididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, brain, liver, kidney, spleen and heart. All organs described above were samples in 4% PFA for possible future histo-pathological examination. Also, pancreas (en bloc) was sampled for possible stereological and imunohistochemical analysis, and eyes were sampled for possible later analysis of retinopathy. Group 2 (day 28): No tissues or plasma were collected.

c) Results

i) General Observations

During the acute dosing period animals showed normal levels of alertness and activity and there were no signs of sedation in the drug treated animals. Food and water intake were within normal ranges among vehicle treated animals. However, after approximately two weeks dosing, nodular fibrosis was observed in the subcutaneous tissue as a reaction to the XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) compound in the high dose, these progressed into open wounds all of the mice from group C. In group B mild nodular fibrosis was observed. As a consequence an alternation of injection sites were used. Following the end of dosing of the animals the animals healed and the nodular fibrosis was gradually disappearing. We observed no clinical effects in the vehicle treated animals.

ii) Blood Glucose

Fasting blood glucose levels (absolute and relative) are shown in FIG. 15. Fasting blood glucose was measured every third day until day 68 and on a regular basis until termination at day 111 in groups A and C. We observed a clear and significant (p<0.001) decrease in the level of fasting blood glucose of the diabetic db/db mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) as compared to vehicle control. The fasting blood glucose levels of the mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) reached a low plateau of approximately 5 mmol/L. This effect was evident after 14 days of dosing and persisted throughout the study, thus during the entire wash-out period from day 21 to day 111. In contrast, we observed no effect of low dose of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (1 mg/kg) during 28 days of dosing.

iii) Body Weight

Body weight determinations (absolute and relative) are shown in FIG. 16. We observed a clear and significant (p<0.001) prevention of body weight increase in mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) as compared to vehicle control. This effect was evident from day 28 of dosing and remained until the day of termination day 111. In contrast, we observed no effect of low dose of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (1 mg/kg) on body weight during 28 days of dosing.

iv) Metabolic Cages

The effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on 24 hour food and water intake, and urine and faeces production as measured in metabolic cages on study day 68 are shown in FIGS. 17(g) and 18 (normalized to g of body weight). We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on any of the measured parameters as compared to vehicle control though a trend towards a decrease in food intake and urine production was observed.

v) Adipokines

The effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) as measured on day 57, 77 and 108 on plasma levels of insulin, MCP-1 and IL-6 are shown in FIG. 19; on plasma levels of tPAI-1, TNF and resistin in FIG. 20; We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on any of the measured parameters as compared to vehicle control except the levels of plasma resistin, which was significantly higher in XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) treated animals at day 77 and 108.

vi) Tissue Weight at Termination

The effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on tissue weight of epididymal, inguinal subcutaneous, and retroperitoneal fat pads are shown in FIG. 21. We observed a significant decrease of epididymal (p<0.05) and retroperitoneal (p<0.01) fat mass in the mice treated with XG-102 as compared to vehicle control. The effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on tissue weight of brain, spleen and heart is shown in FIG. 22. We observed no significant effects of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on these parameters as compared to vehicle control. Finally, the effect of vehicle or XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (10 mg/kg) on tissue weight of kidney and liver is shown in FIG. 23. We observed a significant decrease of kidney (p<0.05) and liver (p<0.01) mass in the mice treated with XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 2) as compared to vehicle control.

Summarizing the results, administration of XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11), 10 mg/kg, appears to lead to a significant decrease in blood glucose levels and therefore, XG-102 (SEQ ID NO: 11) appears to be a promising new tool for treating diabetes and elevated blood glucose levels.

Example 16 Preferred Embodiments

In the following, some preferred embodiments according to the present invention are listed:

-   -   1. Use of a JNK inhibitor sequence comprising less than 150         amino acids in length for the preparation of a pharmaceutical         composition for treating diseases or disorders strongly related         to JNK signaling in a subject, wherein the diseases or disorders         strongly related to JNK signaling in a subject are selected from         autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous         diseases, diabetes, including diabetes type 1 or type 2,         inflammatory diseases, hair loss, including Alopecia areata,         diseases of the lung, neuronal or neurodegenerative diseases,         diseases of the liver, diseases of the spine, diseases of the         uterus, viral infectious diseases and depressive disorders.     -   2. The use according to embodiment 1, wherein the JNK inhibitor         sequence is derived from a human or rat IB1 sequence as defined         or encoded by any of sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ         ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 104, or SEQ ID NO: 105, or from any         fragments or variants thereof.     -   3. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the         autoimmune disorders are selected from autoimmune disorders,         including Lupus, Lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome.     -   4. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the         cardiovascular diseases, are selected from heart diseases and         coronary heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, apoplexy, dilatation         of the abdominal aorta, such as infrarenal aneurism         hypertension, myocardial infarction.     -   5. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the cancerous         diseases are selected from Kaposi's sarcoma, acute myeloid         leukemia, including erythroleukemia, melanomas, malignant         melanomas, colon carcinomas, lymphomas, sarcomas, blastomas,         kidney carcinomas, gastrointestinal tumours, gliomas, prostate         tumours, bladder cancer, rectal tumours, stomach cancer,         oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, mammary         carcinomas (=breast cancer), uterine cancer, cervical cancer,         acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL),         chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia         (CLL), hepatomas, diverse virus-induced tumours, such as e.g.         papilloma virus-induced carcinomas (e.g. cervix         carcinoma=cervical cancer), adenocarcinomas, herpes         virus-induced tumours (e.g. Burkitt's lymphoma, EBV-induced B         cell lymphoma), hepatitis B-induced tumours (hepatocell         carcinomas), HTLV-1- and HTLV-2-induced lymphomas, acusticus         neurinoma, lung carcinomas (=lung cancer=bronchial carcinoma),         small cell lung carcinomas, throat cancer, anal carcinoma,         glioblastoma, rectum carcinoma, astrocytoma, brain tumours,         retinoblastoma, basalioma, brain metastases, medulloblastomas,         vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid carcinoma, Hodgkin's         syndrome, meningeomas, Schneeberger's disease, pituitary tumour,         mycosis fungoides, carcinoids, neurinoma, spinalioma, Burkitt's         lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, kidney cancer, thymoma, corpus         carcinoma, bone cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, urethral         cancer, CUP syndrome, head/neck tumours, oligodendroglioma,         vulval cancer, intestinal cancer, colon carcinoma, oesophageal         carcinoma (=oesophageal cancer), wart conditions, small         intestine tumours, craniopharyngeomas, ovarian carcinoma, soft         tissue tumours, ovarian cancer (=ovarian carcinoma), pancreatic         carcinoma (=pancreatic cancer), endometrium carcinoma, liver         metastases, penis cancer, tongue cancer, gallbladder cancer,         leukaemia, plasmocytoma, lid tumour, prostate cancer (=prostate         tumours) etc., or infectious diseases chosen from influenza,         malaria, SARS, yellow fever, AIDS, Lyme borreliosis,         leishmaniasis, anthrax, meningitis.     -   6. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the         inflammatory diseases are selected from inflammation of the lung         or lung diseases, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome         (ARDS), or pulmonary fibrosis, inflammations of the tissue,         including formation of fibrous tissue, including cystic         fibrosis, meningitis, graft rejection or transplant rejection         reactions.     -   7. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the diseases         of the lung are selected from inflammation of the lung or lung         diseases, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS),         chronic illness involving the respiratory system, including         Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia,         pulmonary fibrosis.     -   8. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the neuronal         or neurodegenerative diseases are selected from Alzheimer's         disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis         (ALS), dystonia, epilepsy, optic nerve disease, including         glaucoma, eye infection, multiple sclerosis, meningitis,         neuronal diseases caused by or disorders or diseases or         disorders of the nervous system, including the “cutting” or         disruption of axons, such as axotomy, pain, particularly         neuropathic pain, viral encephalopathy.     -   9. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the diseases         of the liver are selected from Hepatitis, hepatotoxicity.     -   10. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the diseases         of the spine are selected from disc herniation.     -   11. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the diseases         of the uterus are selected from endometriosis.     -   12. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the viral         (infectious) diseases are selected from or caused by viruses         selected from, HSV, Kaposi's sarcoma, condyloma acuminata,         molluscum contagiosum, dengue fever, three-day fever, Ebola         virus, colds, early summer meningoencephalitis (ESME), shingles,         hepatitis, herpes simplex type I, herpes simplex type II, herpes         zoster, influenza virus, Japanese encephalitis, Lassa fever,         Marburg virus, measles, foot and mouth disease, mononucleosis,         mumps, Norwalk virus infection, Pfeiffer's glandular fever,         smallpox, polio (poliomyelitis), pseuodcroup, infectious         erythema, rabies, warts, West Nile fever, chicken-pox,         cytomegalovirus (CMV), orthopox variola virus, orthopox alastrim         virus, parapox ovis virus, molluscum contagiosum virus, herpes         simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, herpes B virus,         varicella zoster virus, pseudorabies virus, human cytomegaly         virus, human herpes virus 6, human herpes virus 7, Epstein-Barr         virus, human herpes virus 8, hepatitis B virus, chikungunya         virus, O'nyong'nyong virus, rubivirus, hepatitis C virus, GB         virus C, West Nile virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus,         louping ill virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Japan B         encephalitis virus, Powassan virus, FSME virus, SARS-associated         corona virus, human corona virus 229E, human corona virus Oc43,         Torovirus, human T cell lymphotropic virus type I, human T cell         lymphotropic virus type II, HIV (AIDS), i.e. human         immunodeficiency virus type 1 or human immunodeficiency virus         type 2, Lassa virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus,         Tacaribe virus, Junin virus, Machupo virus, Borna disease virus,         Bunyamwera virus, California encephalitis virus, Rift Valley         fever virus, sand fly fever virus, Toscana virus, Crimean-Congo         haemorrhagic fever virus, Hazara virus, Khasan virus, Hantaan         virus, Seoul virus, Prospect Hill virus, Puumala virus, Dobrava         Belgrade virus, Tula virus, sin nombre virus, Lake Victoria         Marburg virus, Zaire Ebola virus, Sudan Ebola virus, Ivory Coast         Ebola virus, influenza virus A, influenza virus B, influenza         viruses C, parainfluenza virus, measles virus, mumps virus,         respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, vesicular         stomatitis Indiana virus, rabies virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage         virus, European bat lyssavirus 1+2, Australian bat lyssavirus,         adenoviruses A-F, human papilloma viruses, condyloma virus 6,         condyloma virus 11, polyoma viruses, adeno-associated virus 2,         rotaviruses, or orbiviruses, Varicella including Varizella         zoster or malaria virus.     -   13. The use according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the         depressive disorders are selected from major depressive         disorders, major depression, unipolar depression, clinical         depression, depression, bipolar disorders, mania and maniac         depression.     -   14. The use of a JNK inhibitor sequence according to any of         embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the JNK inhibitor sequence         comprises a range of 5 to 150 amino acid residues, more         preferably 10 to 100 amino acid residues, even more preferably         10 to 75 amino acid residues and most preferably a range of 10         to 50 amino acid residues.     -   15. The use of a JNK inhibitor sequence of any of embodiments 1         to 14, wherein the JNK inhibitor sequence binds c-jun amino         terminal kinase (JNK).     -   16. The use of a JNK inhibitor sequence of any of embodiments 1         to 15, wherein the JNK inhibitor sequence inhibits the         activation of at least one JNK targeted transcription factor         when the JNK inhibitor sequence is present in a JNK expressing         cell.     -   17. The use of a JNK inhibitor sequence of any of embodiments 1         to 16, wherein the JNK targeted transcription factor is selected         from the group consisting of c-Jun, ATF2, and ElkI.     -   18. The use of a JNK inhibitor sequence of any of embodiments 1         to 17, wherein the JNK inhibitor sequence alters a JNK effect         when the peptide is present in a JNK expressing cell.     -   19. The use according to any of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the         JNK inhibitor sequence is composed of L-amino acids, D-amino         acids, or a combination of both, preferably comprises at least 1         or even 2, preferably at least 3, 4 or 5, more preferably at         least 6, 7, 8 or 9 and even more preferably at least 10 or more         D- and/or L-amino acids, wherein the D- and/or L-amino acids may         be arranged in the JNK inhibitor sequences in a blockwise, a         non-blockwise or in an alternate manner.     -   20. The use according to any of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the         JNK inhibitor sequence comprises or consists of at least one         amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4, 13 to 20         and 33 to 100, or a fragment, derivative or variant thereof.     -   21. Use of a chimeric peptide comprising at least one first         domain and at least one second domain linked by a covalent bond,         the first domain comprising a trafficking sequence, and the         second domain comprising a JNK inhibitor sequence as defined in         any of embodiments 1 to 20 for the preparation of a         pharmaceutical composition for treating diseases or disorders         strongly related to JNK signaling in a subject in a subject,         wherein the diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK         signaling in a subject are as defined in any of embodiments 1 to         13.     -   22. The use of the chimeric peptide of embodiment 21, wherein         the chimeric peptide is composed of L-amino acids, D-amino         acids, or a combination of both, preferably comprises at least 1         or even 2, preferably at least 3, 4 or 5, more preferably at         least 6, 7, 8 or 9 and even more preferably at least 10 or more         D- and/or L-amino acids, wherein the D- and/or L-amino acids may         be arranged in the chimeric peptide in a blockwise, a         non-blockwise or in an alternate manner.     -   23. The use of the chimeric peptide of any of embodiments 21 or         22, wherein the trafficking sequence comprises the amino acid         sequence of a human immunodeficiency virus TAT polypeptide.     -   24. The use of the chimeric peptide of any of embodiments 21 to         23, wherein the trafficking sequence consists of or comprises         the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, 8, 21 or 22.     -   25. The use of the chimeric peptide of any of embodiments 21 to         24, wherein the trafficking sequences augments cellular uptake         of the peptide.     -   26. The use of the chimeric peptide of any of embodiments 21 to         25, wherein the trafficking sequence directs nuclear         localization of the peptide.     -   27. The use of the chimeric peptide of any of embodiments 21 to         26, wherein the chimeric peptide consists of or comprises the         amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 9 to 12 and 23 to 32,         or a fragment, or variant thereof.     -   28. Use of an isolated nucleic acid encoding a JNK inhibitor         sequence as defined in any of embodiments 1 to 20 or a chimeric         peptide as defined in any of embodiments 21 to 27 for the         preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating         diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling in a         subject, wherein the diseases or disorders strongly related to         JNK signaling in a subject are as defined according to any of         embodiments 1 to 13.     -   29. Use of a vector comprising the nucleic acid as defined in         embodiment 28 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical         composition for treating diseases or disorders strongly related         to JNK signaling in a subject, wherein the diseases or disorders         strongly related to JNK signaling in a subject are as defined         according to any of embodiments 1 to 13.     -   30. Use of a cell comprising the vector as defined in embodiment         29 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for         treating diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling         in a subject, wherein the diseases or disorders strongly related         to JNK signaling in a subject are as defined according to any of         embodiments 1 to 13.     -   31. Use of an antibody which binds immunospecifically to a JNK         inhibitor sequence according to any of embodiments 1 to 20 or to         a chimeric peptide according to any of embodiments 21 to 27 for         the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating         diseases or disorders strongly related to JNK signaling in a         subject, wherein the diseases or disorders strongly related to         JNK signaling in a subject are as defined according to any of         embodiments 1 to 13.     -   32. Use according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein         the pharmaceutical composition is to be administered by an         administration route selected from the group consisting of         parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular,         subcutaneous, intradermal, transdermal, enteral routes,         including orally, rectally, topical routes, including nasal,         intranasal, and other routes, including epidermal or patch         delivery. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating an autoimmune disorder, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need of treatment thereof, the composition comprising a c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor sequence consisting of (i) SEQ ID NO: 2, or (ii) a chimeric peptide consisting of a first domain and a second domain linked by a covalent bond without any linker sequence or via a linker sequence comprising the covalent bond, the first domain comprising a trafficking sequence, and the second domain consisting of a JNK inhibitor sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the autoimmune disorder is selected from the group consisting of Lupus, Lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first domain is linked to the C-terminal end of the second domain.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the trafficking sequence domain comprises the amino acid sequence of a human immunodeficiency virus TAT polypeptide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the trafficking sequence domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, 8, 21 or
 22. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the trafficking sequence domain augments cellular uptake of the peptide.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the trafficking sequence domain directs nuclear localization of the peptide.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the chimeric peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 11. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is to be administered by an administration route selected from the group consisting of parenteral intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, transdermal, enteral oral, rectal, topical, nasal, and intranasal routes, and epidermal or patch delivery.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a dose (per kg bodyweight) of the pharmaceutical composition is in the range of up to 10 mmol/kg.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a dose of the pharmaceutical composition is in the range of from about 1 pmol/kg to about 1 mmol/kg, from about 10 pmol/kg to about 0.1 mmol/kg, from about 10 pmol/kg to about 0.01 mmol/kg, from about 50 pmol/kg to about 1 μmol/kg, from about 100 pmol/kg to about 500 nmol/kg, from about 200 pmol/kg to about 300 nmol/kg, from about 300 pmol/kg to about 100 nmol/kg, from about 500 pmol/kg to about 50 nmol/kg, from about 750 pmol/kg to about 30 nmol/kg, from about 250 pmol/kg to about 5 nmol/kg, from about 1 nmol/kg to about 10 nmol/kg, or a combination of any two of said values.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the trafficking sequence domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, 8, 21 or
 22. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the chimeric peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 11. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first domain and the second domain of the chimeric peptide are linked by a linker sequence comprising the covalent bond.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein a dose (per kg bodyweight) of the pharmaceutical composition is in the range of up to 50 nmol/kg. 